Sponsored A positive charge for the ASEAN supply chain Southeast Asia is emerging as a dynamic automotive region, with a strong EV manufacturing base. DP World is ready to support EV makers there with comprehensive logistics services, including for batteries, explains DP World Asia Pacific’s Glen Hilton. Automotive Logistics
Car and truck makers adapt transport planning to increase the use of EVs The rise of the electric passenger car has a longer history than most suppose but now carmakers are engaged with making inbound and outbound transport modes electric as well, which makes for a greener supply chain altogether. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Zodiac Maritime's Morning Midas car carrier on fire in Pacific The car carrier Morning Midas has caught fire in the Pacific Ocean with a cargo of 3,000 vehicles being transported to the Mexican port of Lázaro Cárdenas from China. Marcus Williams
Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Bertel O. Steen will work together on a new vehicle processing centre at the port of Drammen Drammen port in Norway is to benefit from a new vehicle processing centre which is being built and will be operated by a joint venture between Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Bertel O. Steen. Marcus Williams
DHL and Cox Automotive launch UK’s largest EV battery services centre for manufacturers to tackle complexities in battery handling Housed within DHL’s 146,000-square-foot EV Centre of Excellence, a joint venture battery hub supports manufacturers and fleet operators across the UK. It combines specialist safety infrastructure, remanufacturing workshops and on-site energy storage to meet tightening regulations and rising demand for transparency around battery health and end of life processing. Emily Uwemedimo
Kuehne+Nagel and Changan partner on EV battery and spare parts logistics for European aftermarket Kuehne+Nagel is set to deliver EV supply chain support for Changan in Europe, focusing on spare parts and end-of-life battery logistics. Megan Kelly
International’s Tony Stinsa on the realities of EV truck logistics Tony Stinsa, director of inbound and finished vehicle logistics at International, shares the logistical challenges in transporting electric commercial trucks and the innovations needed to move zero-emission vehicles more sustainably. Automotive Logistics
EV logistics, charging infrastructure and strategic decision-making take centre stage on the final day of FVL North America 2025 Christopher Ludwig, chief content officer at Automotive Logistics, wraps up the final day of Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2025 with key insights into electric vehicle logistics, charging constraints, quality control and strategic resilience amid uncertainty.
FVL NA 2025 - “Get ready to re-imagine logistics: Creating a faster, agile, more competitive vehicle supply chain” Welcome to the recap blog from Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2025, which took place at Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach, California, on 8-10 April. The conference brought over 400 delegates and leaders, and featured discussion on real-world issues and offering innovative and implementable solutions in the inbound logistics, transportation, supply chain strategy and much more. While the conference has ended, our coverage has not - keep following this recap blog for more insights and interviews from the event, and register now for next year here! Anushka Dixit Emily Uwemedimo Megan Kelly
Association of European Vehicle Logistics hosts dinner debate on the impact of decarbonising automotive operations The Association of European Vehicle Logistics gathered members, policy makers and key stakeholders in Brussels on March 18 to discuss the European Commission’s Action Plan for the Future of the European Automotive Industry, with a focus on compliance with regulation on decarbonisation. Marcus Williams
BLG Logistics and Cosco Shipping Car Carriers to work together on China vehicle and equipment imports to Europe An agreement between BLG Logistics and Cosco Shipping Car Carriers will make the German port of Bremerhaven a hub for Chinese vehicle and equipment imports to Europe. Marcus Williams
NYK Line signs memorandum of understanding with Port of Hueneme to cut emissions and focus on energy efficiency The US west coast port of Hueneme is building on its commitment to cut emissions and improve energy efficiency in finished vehicle logistics with a new green corridor agreement for Japanese imports signed with NYK Line. Marcus Williams
Disruption, diversion and a year of delays: European finished vehicle ports review Lower car sales in Europe combined with disruption to routes in the Red Sea corresponded with a drop in volumes at a number of leading European vehicle terminals in 2024. Marcus Williams
Grimaldi is introducing additional liner services and investing in terminal operations around Europe Grimaldi is strengthening services for finished vehicle trade in Europe while at the same time building services for EV imports to there from China. Marcus Williams
Daimler Truck wins VDA logistics award for use of electric trucks across inbound logistics Daimler Truck took top prize for scaling the use of electrified trucks in inbound logistics for German plants through its ‘Electrify Inbound Logistics’ project. Megan Kelly
China retaliates against Trump’s auto tariffs with 10% duty on US vehicles and WTO complaint China has responded to US president Donald Trump’s tariffs of 10% on all goods imported from China, in addition to the existing 100% tariffs on Chinese EV and battery imports, with tariffs of its own. Megan Kelly
BYD and other Chinese OEMs accelerate vertical integration with dedicated ro-ro fleets for global vehicle exports Chinese OEM BYD has added a new vessel to its fleet, with the BYD Shenzhen ro-ro car carrier having undocked earlier this month. Megan Kelly
VW Group moves more than 1.2m vehicles through German port of Emden in 2024; almost 5% down on previous year Volkswagen Group imported and exported 1.2m vehicles through Emden port in 2024, including 419,000 battery electric vehicles and hybrids, and is bringing in a new dock and yard management system. Marcus Williams
Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Georgia Ports Authority officially open Brunswick vehicle and equipment processing complex Wallenius Wilhelmsen officially opened its South Atlantic Transportation and Logistics Mega Center with Georgia Ports Authority at the US port of Brunswick last week. Marcus Williams
DIN and DKE publish guidance for firms to meet mandatory EU Battery Passport rules The new guidance – Requirements for Data Attributes of the Battery Passport – is designed to help companies meet the mandatory requirements for the EU’s digital battery passport. Marcus Williams
Mercedes-Benz Trucks delivers first eActros 600 units to transport customers and announces upgrades to Wörth plant charging infrastructure Mercedes-Benz Trucks will provide eActros 600 trucks to its own logistics providers from Q2 next year and is supporting emission-free inbound logistics with upgraded charging infrastructure at the Wörth plant in Germany Marcus Williams
Latest ECG business intelligence report shows increase in global vehicle exports but slight decline in EVs to EU The Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) reports there has been 25% increase in global vehicle exports from China but EU has imported fewer EVs in first nine months of 2024 Marcus Williams
Dräxlmaier to use first MAN electric truck for Porsche battery deliveries MAN Truck & Bus has delivered its first fully electric 40-tonne truck for use by tier one supplier Dräxlmaier to deliver batteries to the Porsche plant in Leipzig, Germany which makes the Macan Electric model. Marcus Williams
Minespider providing Microvast with battery passports Lithium-ion battery developer Microvast Holdings has signed a partnership with Minespider, a technology company offering battery passports that comply with the EU Battery Regulation update that comes into effect in 2027. Marcus Williams
Red Sofa Interview: How California State is investing in finished vehicle logistics Christine Casey, deputy secretary for Freight Policy, California State Transportation Agency takes to the Red Sofa to tell Christopher Ludwig, chief content officer, Automotive Logistics about the investments into California’s FVL sector.
Speed to market is critical for affordable electric vehicles With more Chinese electric vehicle (EV) makers planning to launch products in the UK in 2024, the race is on for UK and European OEMs to make their mass-market ranges available as quickly as possible. The question is, can they catch up and how should they go about it, ask Vendigital’s Dom Tribe and Sheena Patel Sheena Patel Dom Tribe
Red Sofa Interview: Navistar to use VW Group and Traton cross-docking in North America and Mexico Haley Wilson, logistics director at Navistar, is working with Volkswagen Group in North America and the wider Traton Group to enhance best practices, share processes and consolidation such as cross-docking, which will improve logistics while Navistar ramps up its EV production.
Red Sofa Interview: VW Truck & Bus Mexico’s plans to increase localisation Halley Vieira, plant manager in Production and Logistics, VW Truck & Bus Mexico discusses the decision to localise in Mexico rather than import parts from Brazil, and how synergies with VW Group and Traton Group are playing an increasingly important role in the plant’s logistics.
Red Sofa Interview: VW Chattanooga is sharing EV logistics learnings with the VW Group Watch Paulo Monteiro, head of Logistics, VW Group of America Chattanooga Operations discuss how the Chattanooga plant is leading the way in terms of EV logistics, and why it is sharing its findings with the wider Volkswagen Group and its resurrected Scout brand.
Red Sofa Interview: How Volkswagen is readying for electrification in México Peter Koltai, senior director of logistics at Volkswagen de México discusses how the division is getting ready for electrification across the country and how to find synergies between the plants and the wider VW Group.
Red Sofa Interview: VW’s global logistics experts on synergy in the supply chain Watch Volkswagen Group’s top global logistics experts weigh in on why synergy and collaboration between business units is critical to improving operations, sustainability and advancements within the supply chain.
Red Sofa Interview: BMW’s creativity is helping solve its supply chain problems in Mexico Raúl Gamboa, director of material and transport control, BMW Group Plant San Luis Potosi talks to Richard Logan, senior content producer, Automotive Logistics about BMW’s creative innovations to mitigate supply chain problems in Mexico.
Red Sofa Interview: Audi Mexico’s agile supply chain strategies Francisco Bravo discusses Audi Mexico’s journey towards supply chain excellence, addressing challenges, embracing technology and aligning with the brand’s vision for a sustainable future.
Battery maker ACC uses specialist warehouse in northern France Logistics solutions company PSA BDP has opened a 22,000sq.m warehouse in Dunkirk, France that will provide specialist services for electric vehicle (EV) battery logistics, including for Automotive Cells Company (ACC). Megan Kelly
Nissan’s zero emission journey to using electric trucks in North America Steve Jernigan explains the new relationships and considerations Nissan has needed to make to bring several EV trucking initiatives to life, including for outbound haulaway in California.
Building a blueprint for battery logistics at PowerCo As PowerCo sets up battery cell production for VW Group, its logistics organisation, led by Matthias Braun, has set out a vision and framework that will take the best from automotive and chemical sectors, and forge a new benchmark in supply chain transparency and connectivity Christopher Ludwig
Nissan uses electric semi-trailers for vehicle deliveries to US As it imports vehicles, including the Nissan Ariya EV, to the US through the port of Los Angeles, Nissan North America is testing the use of Class 8 electric semi-trailers (etrucks) for onward delivery to dealers in California. Marcus Williams
Developing packaging and logistics for electric vehicle supply chains Logistics and packaging providers are working increasingly with new start-up and traditional OEMs to meet the needs of EV supply chains. Executives from Ryder and Orbis share insights on the ongoing changes, challenges and opportunities.
Renault to partner with Geely on hybrid vehicles in China and South Korea Renault has agreed a framework with Geely to share production and supply chains for hybrid vehicles in Asia, including using Geely plants in China and localising Lynk & Co platforms in South Korea. Christopher Ludwig
Carmakers focus on China for electric vehicle exports to Europe A growing number of carmakers are looking to China for the production of electric vehicles (EVs) destined for sale in Europe, including Tesla, BMW and Renault. Marcus Williams
