Europe’s vehicle logistics faces flat volumes and rising costs Europe’s vehicle logistics sector faces flat volumes, rising costs and fierce competition, and at the ECG Conference leaders said only efficiency and innovation can ensure survival. Emily Uwemedimo
Skoda begins Kushaq sales in Vietnam using CKD imports The CKD kits will be shipped from the automaker's Indian plant, with some parts coming from Europe. Marcus Williams
Toyota leads sales hike in Ukraine ahead of war tax Ukrainian finished vehicle imports and sales have been booming in recent months, partly in anticipation of the 15% war tax, which is planned for introduction in September this year and could badly affect the market. Automotive Logistics
How Group Logistics is overcoming crises and shaping Volkswagen's future supply chain Volkswagen Group Logistics can increasingly master disruptions thanks to greater resiliency, but its managing director Simon Motter is making sure the group is ready to deliver on long-term goals for electrification, sustainability and cost. Christopher Ludwig
Škoda begins exports from Europe to Vietnam Škoda has begun exporting its Kodiaq and Karoq models from the Czech Republic to Vietnam and has opened its first dealership in Hanoi. Megan Kelly
Skoda adopts SAP digital platform for logistics overhaul at Vrchlabí Skoda Auto is implementing the SAP S/4 Hana digital platform for system logistics at its Vrchlabí gearbox plant in the Czech Republic. The switch to the enterprise resource planning software is part of a group-wide initiative called Project One Log, which the carmaker said will replace a variety of existing legacy systems. Marcus Williams
VW Group steers production in line with dropping demand for EVs In its performance update for the first nine months of 2023 Volkswagen Group said the automotive industry is “currently experiencing a general reluctance [by customers] to buy battery-powered models” and that “the overall market trend… fell short of expectations”. Marcus Williams
Škoda opens CKD logistics hub in India [Updated October 30] Škoda Auto has a new 16,000 sq.m facility in Pune, India that it will use to pack complete knockdown (CKD) kits of its Kushaq and Slavia models for export to Vietnam. There, the CKD kits will be welded, painted and assembled at a production line currently being built in Quãng Ninh province and expected to open in the first half of 2024. Marcus Williams
Škoda Auto partners with Allur Company in return to vehicle assembly in Kazakhstan Škoda Auto is returning to produce vehicles in Kazakhstan in early 2024 and will be working with local partner Allur Company. Marcus Williams
Weathering the storm from the east The ongoing war in Ukraine is having detrimental repercussions for both inbound and finished vehicle logistics in central and eastern Europe. There is uncertainty in the supply of critical materials and disruption to transport routes in Europe are delaying deliveries of vehicles Automotive Logistics
Ukraine struggles to restart auto production and supply Vehicle assembly has resumed in Ukraine and sales show signs of recovery but the ongoing Russian hostilities in the country continue to threaten production and supply, with the production of key materials and components severely constrained. Automotive Logistics
Skoda works with suppliers to secure cable harness production Skoda has been working with its suppliers to relocate production of cable harnesses from Ukraine to the Czech Republic because of the disruption caused by Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine. The carmaker is also working with suppliers to increase production of the components in Morocco. Jason Dunn
Car industry looks for more vertical integration to avoid risk Carmakers and their suppliers have had two years full of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (Vuca) and are actively looking for new strategies to mitigate risk in the supply chain secure future production. Namrita Chow
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. Daniel Harrison
Ukraine invasion causes widespread supply chain disruption Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has already had widespread repercussions across Europe’s automotive supply chain and supporting multimodal logistics network. Marcus Williams
How the European automotive industry aims to build back semiconductor and chip supply OEMs, suppliers and EU officials are considering how best to develop Europe’s semiconductor supply bases to mitigate current and future shortages, but the broad gaps at many levels – including for older, larger chips – mean there will be no magic bullet Namrita Chow
Skoda uses AI application to optimise container usage Škoda has developed the Optikon artificial intelligence app to automatically calculate how pallets should be loaded in containers to maximise capacity. The OEM claims the software has saved it 151 container shipments and 80 tonnes of CO2 in the first six months of 2020. Illya Verpraet
Shifting gears: How Skoda automated Vrchlabí Skoda’s transmissions plant at Vrchlabí has made a huge shift towards digitalisation by implementing automated technology including handling and transport robots. Automotive Logistics met plant manager Ivan Slimak Victoria Johns
