Tariff analysis deep dive: The most important changes for the auto industry How regional tariff updates and expanded tariffs on parts and components such as aluminium and steel derivatives are affecting OEMs, suppliers and LSPs. Megan Kelly
Toyota plans manufacturing plant in Japan, despite US tariff impact Toyota has announced plans to acquire land to build a new vehicle manufacturing plant in the Teihoucho area of Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Megan Kelly
Automotive logistics and supply chains in 2025: Tariff turmoil, investment uncertainty and further cost pressures The automotive industry is reeling from the US’s hugely disruptive reset of the world economic order, and this will have profound ramifications for logistics providers around the world. Daniel Harrison
US reaches trade deal with Japan, puts 93% tariff on Chinese graphite The US has struck a trade deal with Japan, reducing the threatened tariff rate of 25% on goods imported to the US to 15%, providing Japan invests $550 billion in the US. Megan Kelly
Japan's auto industry sees increase in robot installations An 11% increase in automated manufacturing robots was driven by diversification in drivetrains and wider commitment to EV assembly, IFR reports Charlie Blackie-Kelly
US threatens tariffs on Japan, OEMs face billions in losses US tariffs could cost Japanese carmakers billions, with a looming deadline for negotiations. Megan Kelly
Nissan and Stellantis supplier Marelli files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US The tier one supplier confirms it has applied for bankruptcy to continue operations while it looks to secure additional funding or buyout. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Toyota is considering moving production of the GR Corolla from Japan to the UK While the news is not yet official, sources say that Toyota will add an additional production line to its Burnaston plant to try and meet demand for the sports model. If the move goes ahead, production is expected to begin mid-2026. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Nissan Motor is scrapping plans to build a $1.1bn EV battery plant in Kyushu, Japan Despite only announcing the new plant in January, Nissan has cancelled its proposed lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery plant, planned to be built in Kitakyushi, Japan. The plant would have created around 500 internal jobs and helped the company reinforce its domestic EV production. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Toyota plans to produce next-generation lithium batteries in Japan on hold Toyota is revising its plans for battery production in Kyushu, Japan in the light of electric vehicle demand and rising material prices. 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
Subaru secures EV battery supply with Panasonic Energy Panasonic Energy will supply Subaru with lithium-ion batteries to power the battery EVs (BEVs) the Japanese carmaker will produce in the second half of this decade. The two companies are also opening a jointly owned battery factory in Oizumu in Japan’s Gunma prefecture. Marcus Williams
Maruti Suzuki exporting Fronx SUV to Japan Maruti Suzuki India has started exporting its Fronx SUV to Japan – the first SUV the vehicle maker has launched in the country. Maruti Suzuki also exports the Baleno sedan, which it started doing in 2016. Marcus Williams
Honda begins vehicle exports from India to Japan Honda is now exporting its Elevate mid-size SUV from India to Japan via the port of Pipavav. The Elevate went on sale in Japan badged with the brand name WR-V last month and so far around 6,800 models have been delivered. It is the first time Honda has exported a model made in India to Japan. Marcus Williams
Toyota halts production in Japan after supplier plant explosion [Updated October 24] Toyota had to suspend assembly operations across seven plants in Japan last week because of supply problems caused by an explosion at the plant of one of its suppliers – Chuo Spring. The company supplies Toyota with coil springs. Marcus Williams
Heavy rains hit Toyota production in Japan Vehicle output at Toyota’s plants around the Aichi Prefecture in Japan has been suspended because of flood damage caused by heavy rains in the area. However, the carmaker said it will reroute the semiconductors destined for those plants to others in Japan affected by the ongoing shortage in supply. Marcus Williams
Toyota to re-open factories after cyber-attack suspends production Toyota Motor has announced that it will be resuming operations on Wednesday (March 2) after a temporary suspension earlier this week. Jason Dunn
Further cutbacks to Toyota’s global output but recovery is in sight Toyota is once again scaling back production next month amid ongoing pandemic and microchip shortage problems. Jason Dunn
Toyota makes further cuts to output because of Covid and chip shortage Supply chain disruption as a result of the ongoing global semiconductor shortage continues as the imbalance between chip production and demand is forecast to maintain into 2022. Marcus Williams
Covid costs Toyota 40% production loss in September Parts shortages caused by the spread of Covid-19 in South-East Asia, compounded by ongoing semiconductor shortages, have forced Toyota to cut September’s global production by 40%. Marcus Williams
Parts suppliers need to understand rules of origin The new gigafactories being established in the UK do not simplify the future for component manufacturers facing the post-Brexit reality, says Gary Dodsworth, head of road transport at Rhenus UK Gary Dodsworth
Mitsubishi Fuso focuses on cleaner logistics to cut carbon from operations Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus (MFTBC) has revealed the latest efforts to cut carbon emissions from its plants and supporting logistics functions. Marcus Williams
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. Illya Verpraet
Toyota forced to suspend production in Japan in June Toyota has been forced to suspend production next month at two plants in Japan because of a shortage of semiconductors. Marcus Williams
Light at the end of the Suez Canal but challenges for automotive Of the many disruptions the pandemic has caused, the chain reaction of delays and spiralling costs in container global container shipping must have been one of the hardest to deal with. The delays in the Suez Canal were just the icing on an already unappetising cake. Illya Verpraet
AL FVL Spring 2021 Digital Edition – Coping strategies for a global crisis The spring digital edition of Automotive Logistics and Finished Vehicle Logistics is out now, featuring comprehensive overviews of the main vehicle ports in continental Europe and the UK, as well as the maritime transport sector. Plus, we look at the latest packaging initiative supporting VW’s lithium-ion battery deliveries to VW Zwickau, Vijay Ratnaparkhe’s IT revolution at Bosch and talk to carmakers about supply chain lessons ten years on from the Fukushima earthquake disaster Automotive Logistics
Fire at Renesas plant knocks out semiconductor chip production A fire has stopped production at one of Renesas Electronics’ plants in Japan. Renesas Semiconductor Manufacturing, a subsidiary of the parent company, reported the fire at its Naka factory in Hitachinaka on the earlier hours of March 19. Marcus Williams
Fukushima earthquake hits automotive and semiconductor supply chains An earthquake has struck the the north-east coast of Japan, near Fukushima Prefecture, almost ten years since the area was devastated by a much stronger earthquake and tsunami that took more than 19,000 lives and led to global supply chain disruption. Marcus Williams
Toyota to trial heavy-duty fuel cell trucks for parts shipments From spring 2022 Toyota will start on-road trials of heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks (FCETs) to transport parts between its plants in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and the Toyota Tobishima Logistics Center in Nagoya Port. Marcus Williams
6 questions in 60 seconds…with George Grahovac George Grahovac, senior manager, Honda North America supply chain, talks welding, optimism and why Covid-19 provides an opportunity to be more efficient than ever Victoria Johns
US-Japan trade deals ignore automotive tariffs for now The US signed two trade deals with Japan at the beginning of this week but neither addressed the contentious issue of potential tariffs on vehicles and automotive parts traded between the two countries, a sticking point in the discussions leading up this week’s agreements. Marcus Williams
Distribution Down Under: How AIVs are smartening up Toyota’s new parts centre Intelligent robots and sophisticated design are helping Toyota to achieve a higher level of efficiency at its new warehouse in Sydney, Australia. Automotive Logistics finds out more Mike Farish
Brexit uncertainty causing concern for automotive With a reliance on just-in-time and just-in-sequence supply chains, the automotive industry is one of the most vulnerable sectors to disruption caused by a disorderly British exit from the EU Steve Garnsey
