Tag: flash analysis

Global automotive industry shifts intensify challenges for logistics providers

The automotive supply chain is facing many hurdles this year, as set out in our key automotive logistics trends for 2025. Here, we look deeper at the fragmented nature of the industry, structural changes in flows and demand, and the effects of job losses in the second part of our series.

Trade disputes accelerate nearshoring trend with implications for logistics providers

The automotive supply chain is facing many hurdles this year, as set out in our key automotive logistics trends for 2025. Here, we look at the accelerating trend of nearshoring in the first part of our series.

Automotive logistics and supply chains in 2025: Challenges, cost pressures & nearshoring

As the automotive industry enters 2025, three primary trends are reshaping the landscape for logistics providers. These trends highlight the challenges and opportunities resulting from industry restructuring, cost pressures, and evolving trade dynamics. Before we dive into each, here’s an executive summary.

Data snapshot: North American ports in review

As North American ports navigated unpredictable vehicle volumes in 2023, the collaboration between terminal operators and port authorities highlighted a dynamic strategy for managing disruptions. Automotive Logistics brings you a comprehensive review of activity at the top-performing US and Canadian vehicle-handling ports

Red Sofa Interview: EVs present opportunities to consolidate a fragmented industry

Daniel Harrison, automotive analyst, Automotive Logistics talks to Christopher Ludwig, editor-in-chief about the highly fragmented North America logistics industry, capacity shortages, digitalisation, a positive outlook for the future of the sector and opportunities to consolidate through the transition to EVs.

Six notes on a supply chain crisis: key takeaways from ALSC Global 2022

Summing up what was said at this year’s Detroit event: flexibility rules the waves of logistics, but supply chain managers want better visibility and data to make decisions, while investing in the right skills and labour.

Supply chains made visible as part of US tax credit legislation on EVs

OEMs and suppliers are investing significantly in the US battery supply chain but under the Democrats’ new ruling on tax credits for EVs, which is ruled by strict parts localisation targets, manufacturers will have to make their material sourcing more transparent, giving the consumer a view of the supply chain they do not usually get.

CATL powers ahead with a regional, sustainable supply chain strategy

With a new carbon-neutral gigafactory in China, and a plant set to start production this year in Germany, the Chinese battery cell producer is scaling its production and logistics to create secure and sustainable battery supply.

Ukraine’s vital link in the European supply chain

The shutdown of much industry, trade and logistics out of Ukraine is hurting automotive production and driving up logistics and bunker costs for European logistics providers.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a long-term risk for the automotive supply chain

The impacts stretch beyond inflation and corporate retreats to critical shortages upstream for semiconductor and EV supply.

Global automotive outlook: A rocky road, but better times are ahead

Top analyst Brandon Mason explains the depth of the semiconductor shortage and its impacts on vehicle production and sales, but also looks ahead to a fast-changing automotive and supply chain landscape across North America.

In the waiting room: how the chip crunch is now hitting dealer sales

As semiconductor shortages hit production, most OEMs were able to satisfy demand by running down inventory, but worsening supply shortages are starting to choke off new vehicle registrations, with impacts likely across the supply chain for years to come.

Electrifying Europe: EU ‘Fit for 55’ legislation will transform the automotive supply chain

The EU’s latest salvo to mitigate against climate change is the most radical yet, tightening emission targets more than previously announced and setting a timetable to eliminate combustion engines – all of which will ultimately transform automotive manufacturing and supply chain

Material shortages are forcing a supply chain rethink in automotive

Widespread shortages in range of materials used to make cars are impacting production but OEMs and suppliers are responding by accelerating the development of alternative closed-loop supply chains

Vehicle electrification shakes up export and import flows

The electric vehicle revolution has reached some countries sooner than others, both in terms of customer uptake and manufacturing. As a result, outbound import and export flows are changing.

EV battery supply chains on the move

As electric vehicles become serious business for OEMs, they are reassessing their battery supply and manufacturing bases, putting their eggs in multiple baskets and taking more control of the process.

Watch: Managing the battery supply chain will be a strategic advantage

In this presentation, automotive analyst Daniel Harrison details growth, investment and bottlenecks in lithium-ion battery supply chains, and demonstrates the competitive advantages that manufacturers could gain or risk in taking more control over battery sourcing and production.

Watch: Scaling up battery and electric vehicle supply chains

Sales and production for electric vehicles are growing fast, as new vehicle and battery plants come on line. In this panel discussion at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, global experts from Volvo Cars, Gefco and Maersk share insights on the logistics challenges and advantages in building efficient and nimble EV supply chains.

Meeting increasing demand for EVs in Europe depends on better battery supply

The increase in sales of low-emission vehicles in Europe has been a silver lining on an otherwise dark year for the automotive industry but there are still bottlenecks to tackle in the lithium battery chain if supply is to keep up with demand, writes Daniel Harrison

Pent-up demand drives European car market recovery in July

Latest demand forecast: Vehicle sales will drop up to 40%, with second dip expected this year

The recovery in new vehicle sales in the wake of the coronavirus crisis will not only be varied in speed across major automotive markets, but it will also be uneven. Further pullbacks in sales are likely later in 2020 and into 2021 for many countries, according to a new report and forecast by Automotive from Ultima Media, the business intelligence arm of Automotive Logistics.

Coronavirus pandemic could force supplier consolidation

Calling stop on automotive supply chains: how long can companies survive the Covid-19 crisis?

With the coronavirus pandemic causing a level of automotive plant shutdowns not seen since the second world war, suppliers and logistics providers will face failures without direct support from government, and close collaboration with OEMs and industry.

Watch: A royal entry to Mexico’s competitive supply base

Kevin Reed, vice-president of supply chain at tier two electronics and battery component supplier Royal Power, talks to Daniel Harrison about why the company recently built a new plant in Mexico, and the challenges facing its supply chain and logistics. In the context of declining margins among tier suppliers, Reed discusses the key advantages of moving to Mexico to better serve customers and compete, and why maximising efficiency in the supply chain is a crucial differentiator.For more on the major financial and technological challenges facing tier suppliers, download our comprehensive study of margins in the supply chain, and check out our dedicated webinar on managing margins in the supply chain.

Watch: Future of Mexican EV production depends on a dedicated supply chain

Daniel Harrison, automotive analyst at Ultima Media’s business intelligence unit, tells Christopher Ludwig about the regulatory impact on a steady Mexican automotive market and his outlook on production, which is built strongly on exports to the US. Mexico is introducing subsidies and tax incentives to promote demand for electric vehicles. However, it needs to develop an EV supply chain from scratch and resuscitate strong fuel economy standards before there can be any realistic prospect of local production to meet that demand. For more on Automotive Logistics Mexico 2020 visit the event page, and check out more coverage from Mexico on our website here. For more business intelligence and market insight, visit our global business intelligence page.

Your webinar questions answered: How tier 1 suppliers are responding to tough headwinds

You asked, we answer. We return to the questions from our audience that we didn’t have time to answer in our live webinar, ranging from which parts of automotive tier 1 suppliers’ business models are at risk of commodification, to how tier suppliers are changing supply chain processes

Automotive suppliers buying and spinning their way into high tech segments

As BorgWarner’s acquisition of Delphi Technologies shows, tier one automotive suppliers are turning to acquisitions and restructuring their business to focus on advanced technology, helping to protect margins, avoid commodification and transition to electrified powertrains

Electric vehicles could transform role of tier 1 suppliers in managing logistics

As OEMs look to reduce production costs and manage more complexity, automotive suppliers will face challenges. But with more EV models in the pipeline, many have the opportunity to grab a larger piece of the pie both for manufacturing and supply chain management.

Part and parcel of the problem: why tier 1 supplier logistics will face a squeeze

As OEMs and automotive parts suppliers see their margins decline, cost pressures are going to increase on logistics operations and service providers further down the supply chain

Explaining EU vehicle emissions targets: can OEMs avoid heavy fines?

The new average fleet targets that came into force in Europe on January 1st 2020 are having big impacts on the supply chain, pushing OEMs to produce and sell more hybrids and EVs. But the rules are complex and varied by brands, volume and sales. Here we provide a summary of the key rules and terminology.

Is Sony’s Vision S a scary sight, or a revelation for carmakers and suppliers?

Should automotive manufacturers and the supply chain fear or embrace this surprise announcement from the consumer technology giant?

Suppliers will charge the change: opportunities in the EV value chain

While much focus is put on OEM plans to launch more electric vehicles, a great deal of the technology, value, production and services will come from both existing and emerging suppliers across the value chain. We expect many new opportunities for these companies over the next decade.

FCA–PSA fusion: first of the electric shock waves?

The merger attempt by FCA and PSA will be complicated but makes economic and operational sense, including for supply chain management and logistics. Whether or not it goes ahead, more consolidation is likely as the automotive industry gears up for electrification

You gotta carry that weight: how bigger vehicles and EVs will challenge logistics

With forecasts for strong growth in marketshare for electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle sales over the next decade, moving parts and vehicles will require new equipment, processes and standards across OEMs and logistics providers

Global trade disputes could dim electric vehicle supply chain potential in key markets

Trade uncertainties such as those between the US and China, or the UK and the EU, could put the brakes on growth in the electric vehicle and battery supply chain for some OEMs and countries, despite bullish forecasts for alternative powertrains

What took the air out of Dyson’s electric car project?

The iconic manufacturer of vacuum cleaners has cancelled plans to develop and build an EV. That was probably a smart decision, considering the huge costs, competition and struggling market that Dyson would have been entering.