Tag: opinion

Opinion: Tariff shockwaves, investment freezes and cost pressure reshape global automotive logistics in 2025

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, inhouse automotive analyst, Automotive Logistics, explains what Trump’s tariffs will mean for the automotive industry.

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

Delay to introduction of new rules of origin is a window of opportunity

The proposed delay to the introduction of the new rules of origin is a window of opportunity for UK and European carmakers to accelerate all-electric vehicle (EV) design programmes, strengthen supply chains and put the right technical support and capabilities in place to meet demand in a fast-growing market.

Politics now the driving force in automotive supply chains

Decades of liberalisation of international trade relations, including the removal of many tariffs and non-tariff barriers, have enabled automotive supply chains to develop on the basis of economic rather than political imperatives. This is no longer the case. Governments right across the political spectrum have started to adopt protectionist policies whilst promoting subsidy-driven national industrial strategies, challenging the mantra of free trade and open markets.

Automotive logistics can empower Asian manufacturers globally

Ports and terminals giant DP World is building a network of technologically advanced vehicle handling terminals that Asian carmakers stand to benefit from as they export globally, writes Glen Hilton, CEO and managing director of Asia Pacific

Crisis in Europe could breed greater cooperation in outbound logistics

As the European vehicle logistics body ECG celebrates 25 years, its president, Wolfgang Göbel, suggests that carmakers are more open to the idea of volume guarantees, while the European Commission (EC) is more supportive of harmonised truck lengths.

Watch: Thank you for joining us at Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2022!

Christopher Ludwig closes out the 2022 Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference, which was the most important gathering of vehicle logistics executives in more than a decade.

Watch: Welcome to a new world of finished vehicle logistics

Editor-in-Chief Christopher Ludwig kicks off Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2022, where the industry came together to address improving ETA accuracy, managing built-to-order vehicles, ensuring capacity and managing cost rises across the supply chain.

Watch FVL highlights: ETA, capacity, driver shortages and collaboration

Editor-in-Chief Christopher Ludwig summarises key takeaways from Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2022, where vehicle ETA, capacity and costs were major concerns, but so were finding practical ways to work together.

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.

Goodbye from Detroit at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global Live

Editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig ends the conference but points to a new beginning in supply chain partnerships, which will be necessary if the industry is to manage through current disruptions and meet the changing needs of electrification, sustainability and new technology.

On the sidelines ALSC Global Day 1 in review: logistics data, mitigating shortages and managing the chip crisis

Christopher Ludwig recounts highlights of the first day of Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global Live, picking out highlights and learnings from OEM, tier supplier and logistics providers at the event.

On the sidelines ALSC Global end of conference wrap up: this is only the beginning

Christopher Ludwig recounts highlights from Day 2 of Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global Live, including key objectives in data management and potential increases in localisation

On the sidelines at ALSC Global Live: the calm before the perfect storm

Christopher Ludwig introduces Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global Live in Detroit, as the North American industry meets in the midst of massive disruption and change across automotive supply chain and manufacturing.

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

Real-time visibility platforms keep automotive supply chains moving

The global automotive market is competitive and volatile, and manufacturers and OEMs were already under pressure thanks to new market challengers such as Tesla, and consumer preferences shifting towards electric vehicles (EVs).

Comment: It’s supply chains that are competing now

Comment: Crisis leads to change

Comment: Slow-growth China holds more challenges for OEMs than coronavirus

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.

Clubbing together in challenging times

Uber Freight: will it get the gig?

A new dawn of maintenance for the EV aftermarket

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.

Hunkering in a bunker for Brexit

Teenage dreams and EVs – why it's not as simple as Thunberg thinks

Comment: It’s carmaking, Jim, but not as we know it – Grenadier turns industry logic on its head

In an age of disruptive change for the automotive industry, digital manufacturing technology is coming to the rescue

Why the UK’s aim to be a world leader in EVs is nothing but a dream

Non-EU markets will not save UK automotive in a no-deal Brexit

A letter to the UK’s new prime minister, Boris Johnson, from the SMMT

Heading for the EV tipping point

Five ways vehicle subscriptions will impact dealerships by 2020

The miracle of packaging

Thinking inside the box

How IoT is the next step in tracking components

Calling on OEMs, LSPs and carriers to help fight people trafficking

The importance of connecting

Value of stability in the push for progress

New magazine, new Nafta

Ports in a political storm

True business doesn’t have only one winner

Opening up the doors to global trade

Brexit’s unaccustomed burdens

SMMT calls for end to Brexit uncertainty

Keeping up with the pace of change

Bringing the IoT to the automotive supply chain

Since Toyota first pioneered its innovative Lean production system in the 1930s, the automotive industry has been a trailblazer in developing data-driven strategies to optimise manufacturing processes

Changes and challenges

How autonomous vehicles will impact on the supply chain

Still breaking down barriers in automotive supply chains…

What has changed in 20 years of covering the automotive supply chain?

How finished vehicle logistics can shed its laggard reputation

Digitalisation: for better or for worse, you can't just ignore it

Keeping the heat on

Why supply chain digitisation can mean making the best of what you already have

In these uncertain days, supply chain reaction times are critical

Trump’s campaigning ignores supply chain might

Vehicle logistics: Why the only certainty is uncertainty

It may not be popular, but collaboration is still the only smart option

Brexit: Why a nod of recognition is not enough to calm the nerves

What to watch in 2017

Why getting outbound logistics right can take a lot of time

'Brexit' may mean 'Brexit' – but then again, it may not

Last Mile: Another brick in the wall?