Tag: purchasing supply chain

Nissan rotates key logistics and purchasing directors across US and Mexico

Nissan has rotated several logistics and purchasing directors across North America as the carmaker targets further efficiencies and speed across its manufacturing and supply chain footprint in the US and Mexico.

Christopher Ludwig

Emily Uwemedimo

Michael Lovati steps into chief purchasing officer role at Volvo Group

Michael Lovati has assumed the role of chief purchasing officer (CPO) at Volvo Group, effective January 1, 2026, bringing nearly two decades of automotive procurement experience to the group’s senior leadership team.

Emily Uwemedimo

Watch: BMW's Oliver Ganser on transforming supply chains with agentic AI

BMW's Oliver Ganser discusses how the future of the automotive supply chain will be shaped by humans alongside genAI and agentic AI, rather than in opposition.

Automotive Logistics

James Todd Kloeb, former head of material planning and logistics for the Americas at Ford, joins Lucid Motors as global vice president of MP&L

James Todd Kloeb announced the news on social media, with it following a three-decade long stint at Ford. His role is expected to encompass global supply chain planning.

Barbara Bergmeier steps down as executive director of industrial operations at JLR, replaced by Nigel Blenkinsop

[Updated February 5] Barbara Bergmeier has stepped down as executive director of industrial operations at JLR to be replaced by Nigel Blenkinsop, who will continue her leadership focused on maintaining a robust and sustainable end-to-end supply chain.

Buelent Ileri moves to global sales and operations planning (S&OP), supply chain and logistics at AGCO

Buelent Ileri recently expanded his scope at the global agricultural equipment manufacturer, bringing a strong focus on digitalisation and planning to AGCO’s global supply chain operations.

Volkswagen Group appoints Holger Bätz as its head of supply chain development for the After Sales division

Holger Bätz has moved from OTLG to become VW Group’s head of supply chain development for the After Sales division.

Kjell Gruner takes over as head of VW Group of America; Henning Habicht to lead operations at Chattanooga

Kjell Gruner is now president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA), while Henning Habicht has been promoted to lead operations at the carmaker’s Chattanooga plant.

Analysis: Automotive logistics providers are experiencing increasing cost pressures

Cost pressures across automotive logistics are escalating as OEMs prioritise profitability to finance EV transitions and counter rising competition.

How Trump’s promised tariffs on Mexico and Canada could threaten the North American auto supply chain

Donald Trump, the US president-elect, has vowed to impose a 25% tariff on all goods being imported into the country from Mexico and Canada, deepening fears for the automotive industry in North America and threatening the trend of nearshoring.

Ryan Grimm is replacing Robert Young as group vice-president of purchasing supplier development at Toyota Motor North America

Ryan Grimm is taking over from Robert Young as group vice-president of purchasing supplier development at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).

Volkswagen looking to restructure across Passenger Car, Group Components and Commercial Vehicles divisions

Volkswagen is planning to close at least three plants in Germany, make further staff redundancies and cut pay by 10% across its workforce, according to the head of VW’s works council, Daniela Cavallo. It is the first time in the company’s 87-year history that it has considered shutting down plants in its German industrial heartland.

Mexico now seventh largest auto producer with 3.8m vehicles made and exporting 3.3m units globally

There is a high demand for the parts supplied by Mexicoʼs tier one suppliers, with 87% production going for export, making it a powerhouse for the wider North American automotive market. Automotive Logistics talks to some of the leaders about maintaining a resilient supply chain.

Stellantis moves supply chain and logistics from purchasing to manufacturing in leadership reshuffle

The carmaker has announced executive changes that include the supply chain and logistics organisation separating from purchasing and reporting to manufacturing chief officer Arnaud Deboeuf. The move, which follows more recent alignment between logistics and manufacturing, aims to break down silos, increase shared technology and flexibility across operations.

Jeffrey Morrison discusses GM’s supply chain shift toward electrification, cost optimisation and evolving supplier partnerships

In a Red Sofa interview at the Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global conference, GM’s Jeffrey Morrison outlines the company’s strategic shift towards electrification, emphasising the importance of cost optimisation and strengthened partnerships with suppliers to foster innovation and sustainability within the automotive supply chain.

GM collaborates with Hyundai on sourcing and production

GM has signed an agreement with Hyundai Motor to collaborate on vehicle and engine production, including electric and hydrogen technologies. The two carmakers said they will also review combined sourcing of battery materials and steel.

Stellantis reduces inventory ahead of new product launches

Stellantis is reducing inventories and adjusting production ahead of the launch of new and mid-cycle product launches on the STLA platform this year.

Restrictions tighten on Chinese semiconductor firms

Restrictions on China’s semiconductor sector are tightening, as the US has asked Europe and Asia to further restrict China’s access to advanced chips and chipmaking equipment, according to data analytics firm Everstream Analytics.

Automotive Logistics marks International Women’s Day

To commemorate International Women’s Day, Automotive Logistics is sharing a collection of recent features and interviews with prominent women in the automotive logistics sector.

Maxime Picat, Stellantis talks strategy and influencing supply chain and manufacturing design

The chief purchasing and supply chain officer, who leads all procurement functions including logistics, gives an exclusive interview on improving supplier relations, planning for the future of the battery supply chain, the growing influence of supply chain costs and localisation, and why Stellantis needs to ensure it has access to critical logistics capacity.

Hyundai Motor Germany appoints Ulrich Mechau as president and CEO

Hyundai Motor has appointed Ulrich Mechau, previously vice president of sales and service at Hyundai Motor Europe (HME), as president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Germany.

Stellantis picks president of Mexican division for North America COO

Stellantis has appointed Carlos Zarlenga to replace Mark Stewart as chief operating officer for North America.

Escalation in Taiwan could cause further semiconductor crisis in 2024

The escalation of tensions in Taiwan could cause a further semiconductor shortage in the year ahead, presenting a risk to automotive logistics.

How Lisa Kline is balancing Subaru’s logistics and achieving success

Lisa Kline was appointed as vice president of vehicle planning and logistics for Subaru of America in April, having climbed the ranks of the carmaker for the past eight years. She talks to Automotive Logistics about how she will lead the carmaker’s logistics team to more success through a balanced logistics and distribution network design, and through the power of saying ‘yes’ as Subaru’s “north star” to customers and long-standing logistics partners.

S&P Global’s light vehicle demand outlook: ECG Conference 2023

S&P Global used this year’s Association of European Vehicle Logistics conference to highlight some automotive industry challenges just around the corner: income decline, rising vehicle prices, decarbonisation effects and market uncertainty

Jaguar Land Rover attributes sales growth to improved supply

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reported year-on-year increased sales volumes for the second quarter (Q2) of the financial year 2024, the three-month period to September 30 2023.

Russian carmakers braced for turbulence as US sanctions promise to bite

A recent round of US sanctions against the Russian automotive industry threatens to hurt the supply chain contingencies established in the country since it invaded Ukraine.

GM logistics executive changes: Learman leads vehicle logistics, Burnett takes on inbound, Swadia procurement

General Motors made leadership changes and appointments this summer to its global logistics teams including finished vehicle, inbound material, and purchasing.

Knowing where to be lean and where to be robust in GM’s supply chain

GM has pursued multiple strategies to increase resilience, from strategic inventory buffers to increasing localisation in North America, according to purchasing chief Jeff Morrison.

Controlling destinies in GM’s supply chain

GM’s global purchasing chief, Jeff Morrison, has forged new partnerships with suppliers across chipmakers, battery materials and logistics providers to create more stable, resilient operations. Now his team wants to regain even more control – especially in vehicle logistics, in which the industry is facing many bottlenecks.

UK supply chain strengthened by EU exports, but rules of origin risks remain for EVs

The EU remains the UK’s largest export market, accounting for 59% of all British car shipments, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), but risks such as looming Rules of Origin tariffs threaten future growth.

Mercedes Figueroa returns to Stellantis to lead North America logistics

Mercedes Figueroa is now vice-president of transportation for North America at Stellantis, leading logistics functions for the carmaker across the region and for international parts and vehicle flows.

Seat appoints Marc Riera as executive vice president for Purchasing

Spanish carmaker Seat has appointed Marc Riera as its new executive vice president for Purchasing to replace Alfonso Sancha who has transferred to Volkswagen Group China.

Ford names Liz Door chief supply chain officer with aim to make SCM a competitive advantage

The new position will take a leading role in securing Ford’s operations and improving quality and digitalisation across the supply chain. The company also announced the departures of Jonathan Jennings and Dave Bozeman

Head of procurement and supply chain Enochsson leaves Volvo Cars

Kerstin Enochsson, head of procurement and supply chain at Volvo Cars, is leaving the role after just nine months in the position to Swedish supplier SKF.

Transform, connect and flex: JLR’s end-to-end supply chain upgrade

Executive director of industrial operations, Barbara Bergmeier, has unique oversight of JLR’s production, procurement and supply chain – and she’s using it to upgrade plants, systems, skills and supplier relations as the carmaker gears up to build more electric vehicles (EVs), increase flexibility and cut emissions

Avtovaz calls for strategic alliance in Russia to deal with parts costs