Almost half of Chery exports now made outside of China as it targets 70% by 2030 At a recent event, Zhang Guibing, executive vice president of Chery Automobile, revealed that approximately 48% of the vehicles it has exported this year have been manufactured outside of China. As the company pursues greater localisation of its manufacturing footprint around the world, it expects this to rise to 70% by 2030. James McLoughlin
Low water levels in European waterways and Panama Canal threaten to disrupt logistics As heatwave after heatwave has hit parts of Europe, water levels in rivers such as the Rhine and the Danube have impacted inland freight operations, causing disruption to automotive logistics networks and the introduction of surcharges. Meanwhile, similar issues in the Panama Canal have led to higher international logistics costs. James McLoughlin
Renault expands Boreal production with second manufacturing hub in Turkey Renault has scaled up production of its Boreal compact SUV with a second production hub in Bursa, Turkey for markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. James McLoughlin
Daimler Truck opens new plant in Zárate, Argentina Daimler Truck inaugurated its Zárate Industrial Center in Argentina, featuring a new plant, a spare parts logistics centre and a remanufacturing plant. James McLoughlin Ilkhan Ozsevim
Foton Motor launches ocean freight joint venture with COSCO Shipping Foton Motor and COSCO Shipping have launched Guangzhou Yuanfu Automotive Supply Chain, a joint venture to establish an independent global maritime supply chain. James McLoughlin
GM's SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture in negotiations for local production in Mexico SGMW, GM's joint venture in China, is in negotiations to begin manufacturing vehicles in Mexico after Mexico imposed new tariffs on non-FTA countries in January. James McLoughlin
Brazil mandates recycled content and reverse logistics systems for packaging New legislation came into effect in Brazil in January 2026, regulating the amount of recycled content in plastic packaging and the recycling of used packaging. James McLoughlin
Mexico’s interoceanic corridor infrastructure set for completion in 2026 The Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a multimodal logistics project relying on rail infrastructure in Mexico, is set to complete in 2026. James McLoughlin
Mexico introduces new tariffs on cars and auto parts for non-FTA countries New tariffs on imports of cars, auto parts and raw materials from non-FTA countries including China, Brazil and India have come into effect in Mexico in 2026. James McLoughlin
Inbound logistics at the crossroad of cost, resilience and digital change, says DP World’s David D’Annunzio As cost pressure, trade turbulence and electrification collide in 2025, automotive supply chain leaders are putting inbound logistics at the centre of strategy – accelerating digitalisation, resilience and collaboration to protect performance and value. Automotive Logistics
Iveco contracts Ceva for PDC logistics in Brazil Iveco has invested $17.4m in a 20,000 sq.m parts distribution centre (PDC) in Pouso, Brazil and contracted Ceva Logistics to manage the site. Marcus Williams
Nissan and Mercedes to close joint COMPAS plant in Mexico in May 2026 COMPAS, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz' joint plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, is to cease operations in May 2026 in response to shifts in the automotive market. James McLoughlin
Renault partners with Geely in Brazil, explores working with Chery and others Renault Group confirmed on November 3 that it has “executed definitive agreements” with China-based automotive manufacturer Geely, extending the two companies’ “strategic cooperation” in Brazil. Meanwhile, reports claim the company is in talks with Chery and other automakers over similar partnerships. James McLoughlin
Nearshoring and negotiations: Trends in Mexico's automotive supply chains US tariffs have forced firms to reimagine their supply chains in Mexico, with nearshoring and freight consolidation key trends ahead of the 2026 USMCA review. James McLoughlin
Renault opens logistics centre in Mexico, supporting presence in South America Renault has opened a new international logistics network (ILN) centre in Mexico, as the company strengthens its supply chain operations in South America. James McLoughlin
Sponsored Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025: Download now Download the inaugural Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025 for the definitive playbook to navigate disruption, cut through uncertainty and stay ahead of global competition. Automotive Logistics
GM and Hyundai to launch five co-developed models in the Americas by 2028 under strategic partnership GM and Hyundai are advancing their production partnership with five co-developed models, leveraging shared manufacturing platforms and integrated supply chain planning to serve key markets in North and South America. Charlie Blackie-Kelly Emily Uwemedimo
Nissan awards logistics partners and calls to go ‘full speed ahead’ Supply chain and aftersales logistics leads in the Americas, Chris Styles and Darrin Lucas, stressed the role that logistics will play in Nissan’s growth plan. Christopher Ludwig
Nissan’s supply chain playbook for real-time resilience From regulatory risk to cyberattacks, Nissan’s senior director for supply in the Americas outlines how clarity, collaboration and digital readiness are redefining what it means to act with purpose. Emily Uwemedimo Christopher Ludwig
Infographic: A snapshot of Audi’s production network and supply chain Audi’s manufacturing and logistics network spans multiple continents across its own plants and shared facilities with the Volkswagen Group and partners, all of which is undergoing significant changes. Learn more about each location and the logistics and transport complexity that supports it. Christopher Ludwig Anushka Dixit
BMW’s sustainable packaging solutions for overseas component shipping: when cardboard is worth more than gold In the automotive industry, it’s not just about propulsion and driving dynamics. Sometimes, it’s the subtle things that make a difference – especially when it comes to sustainability. Here’s the story of a cardboard box that goes on a world tour. Andrea Hoffmann-Topp
How Mexico’s FVL market is balancing capacity and demand Mexico has seen a huge demand for finished vehicle logistics, but the country needs to balance this against its capacity. Megan Kelly
EV expert Amy Paulsen leads GM’s global vehicle logistics as Cristina Learman moves to purchasing An executive who has worked in roles as varied as the US Secret Service, to critical roles at EV makers like Tesla and Rivian, Amy Paulsen is now director of vehicle logistics for General Motors, as Cristina Learman takes a position outside logistics in global purchasing program management. Christopher Ludwig Marcus Williams
Marcio Lucon brings cross-functional view to GM’s global logistics; Renee Wawrzynski retires with legacy of partnerships Lucon will take over as the new head of logistics and containersation after driving enterprise change in South America. Wawrzynski retires after helping restore logistics stability, and signing long-term agreements with LSPs, especially North American rail providers. Christopher Ludwig
Stellantis revenue and profits fall in ‘challenging’ automotive market Stellantis’ revenue and profits have dropped in the first half of the year, with the OEM blaming a “challenging industry context” and a product blitz underway. Meanwhile, its CEO has triggered a “strategic review” of UK business because of the zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Megan Kelly
Forvia’s supply chain built on technology and trust Tier one parts supplier Forvia is using the latest digital technology to manage its supply chain and mitigate disruption, while maintaining close communication with its logistics providers, says Ricardo Manzanera, transport director for Americas purchasing logistics Marcus Williams
Canada rail faces strike action The Teamsters Canada union, which represents 9,000 workers at Canada’s two biggest railroads, has threatened strike action that would disrupt North America’s supply chains from as early as May 22. Megan Kelly
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. Megan Kelly
From South Carolina to the world of BMW, with love BMW’s parts export operations in Spartanburg are a study in managing complexity and quality in packing, and where innovation can make a big difference. (Opening photo credit: SC Ports/English Purcell) Christopher Ludwig
Volvo Cars uses renewable fuels in ocean freight Volvo Cars is reducing the CO2 emissions in its supply chain by 84% switching to renewable fuels for its ocean freight, as it becomes the first OEM to switch all intercontinental container shipments to more sustainable fuels. Megan Kelly
Sallaum Lines expands ro-ro capacity with new PCTC orders Shipping firm Sallaum Lines, which moves finished vehicles between the US, Europe and Africa, has ordered six new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels from China Merchants Shipyard to increase its ro-ro capacity. Megan Kelly
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 Christopher Ludwig
Denis Le Vot is chief supply chain officer at Renault Group; Jean-François Salles to lead strategic partnerships Renault Group has appointed Denis Le Vot chief supply chain officer (CSCO), a new role that combines supply chain functions across the carmaker’s different business units and organisations, including for both internal combusion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs). Christopher Ludwig
GM aims to secure lithium supply with record mining investment In an effort to secure its own battery supply chain, GM has agreed to invest with mining company Lithium Americas in the development of the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, reportedly the largest known source of lithium in the US. Marcus Williams
Flavio Batista jumps from ship to shore with role at GPA Flavio Batista has moved from his role as senior vice-president of sales for the Americas at Wallenius Wilhelmsen to take up a new position as vice-president of sales and marketing at Georgia Ports Authority in the US. Marcus Williams
Ceva completes integration of Gefco’s vehicle logistics business Ceva Logistics has completed the integration of Gefco’s finished vehicle logistics business and set up its own division under the direction of the French logistics provider’s former chief operating officer Emmanuel Cheremetinski. Marcus Williams
Lithium-ion battery gigafactory database Track electric vehicle lithium battery gigafactories by manufacturer, location, manufacturer, current and planned gigawatt (GWh) capacity. Automotive from Ultima Media
Dave Bozeman to replace Frederiek Toney at Ford Frederiek Toney, who has led the Ford Customer Service Division for more than a decade and previously led material planning and logistics, will retire from Ford later this year after a career with the carmaker across 22 years. Marcus Williams
ICL appoints Gina Tovar as managing director of Europe Gina Tovar has joined ICL Systems as managing director for Europe, a role she will share at the finished vehicle logistics software specialist with Rudolf Luttmann, who has been in the role since June 2021. Marcus Williams
Electric vehicle and hybrid vehicle plant database Track factory locations for electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles by manufacturer, model and location, in a comprehensive listing of the changing geography of electric vehicle manufacturing Automotive from Ultima Media
Horizon Auto Logistics restructures business in the Americas Following a realignment of operations last year, Horizon Auto Logistics (HAL), has restructured its business and will operate the following group divisions: Horizon Auto Logistics in Mexico, Fast Terminal International in Colombia, and Fast Auto Logistics in the US and Dominican Republic. Marcus Williams
Ford cuts its losses in Brazil with closure of all production in 2021 Ford will shut all three of its production facilities in Brazil this year and import vehicles from other markets in South America, including neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay, to meet demand in the country. Marcus Williams
Watch: How Daimler digitalised its damage claims process for vehicle logistics In a case study presentation at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Live, Dr Monica Schmickler explains Mercedes-Benz’s new global quality management system, Q.DOME, and how the carmaker is gaining more visibility and data over vehicle transport damage in its global distribution network.
Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 10 – How Volkswagen is transforming plant logistics with AI, analytics and cloud technology In this episode of the Livestream Hour, we discuss the technology and processes that are accelerating more connected, data-driven supply chains, and the greater role they will play in the post-coronavirus automotive industry. With special guests from Volkswagen, research institute Fraunhofer ISST and tech startup SYNAOS.
Watch: Automotive Supply Chain June Update with Volkswagen Group and Visteon – Leadership in a Crisis Our coronavirus series provide critical information and strategic insight to help design more resilient automotive supply chains. In our June update, key decision makers, including from Volkswagen Group and Visteon, share insight on the challenges of leadership in a crisis and how to respond to build stronger supply chains.Watch the recording below and you can download the presentation slides from this livestream here.
Watch: How Ford digitalised and insourced global supply chain processes | Your Questions Answered Part II with Amlan Bose Ford is transforming its supply chain and logistics processes in a number of key regions, including creating an in-house 4PL and rolling out a dynamic transport management system. Following discussion on our popular Livestream Hour edition focused on digitalisation in supply chain and logistics, Ford’s Amlan Bose rejoins Christopher Ludwig to address audience questions on topics including challenges to rollout, whether the system and insourcing will spread to other regions, and how digital control towers are helping Ford in the Covid-19 crisis.
Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 8 – Ford’s insourcing of logistics through technology Join this special digital transformation livestream session on how IT and technology solutions are supporting supply chain during the crisis, including a major digitalisation project for Ford’s logistics and supply chain management across key regions. Hosted by Christopher Ludwig and featuring updates and insights from the crisis and beyond for automotive supply chain and manufacturing.
Watch: Livestream Coronavirus Series – Automotive Supply Chain May Update Our monthly supply chain updates provide critical information for automotive production, purchasing and logistics professionals in the current crisis, and strategic insight to help companies design more resilient supply chains for the future. Watch the May update for the latest market forecasts from our automotive analyst and insight on how supply chains could be made more resilient from automotive supply chain expert Peter Weiss from Gartner.
Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 4 – Tier Suppliers on the Road to Recovery The Livestream Hour features intelligence and updates on important automotive value chain developments, Covid-19-related topics and best practice featuring special guests and experts, as well as behind-the-headlines INSIGHT from our editors and analysts. In Episode 4, we discuss the key areas that suppliers especially need to consider as the automotive industry stirs back into action, including supply chain and logistics processes, sourcing considerations, digital tools and collaboration.
Watch: Livestream Coronavirus Series – Automotive Supply Chain April Update Part of our ongoing Livestream series, the monthly supply chain update provides insight on what the coronavirus crisis will mean for automotive manufacturing and logistics. In this episode you will hear from Matteo Fini, Executive Director, Automotive Supply Chain and Technology, IHS Markit and Fathi Tlatli, President Global Sector Auto-Mobility DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation.
Watch: Livestream Hour Episode 2 – Restarting Automotive Production in the New Normal The Livestream Hour features intelligence and updates on important automotive value chain developments, Covid-19-related topics and best practice featuring special guests and experts, as well as behind-the-headlines INSIGHT from our editors and analysts. In Episode 2, supply chain expert Ralf Bechmann discusses how OEMs and tier suppliers together with Christopher Ludwig and AMS editor Nick Holt.
Watch: Your Questions Answered | The Coronavirus Series: Automotive Supply Chain March Update Following our first Livestream Coronavirus Automotive Supply Chain Update, our panellists reconvene to discuss audience questions that were not answered during the broadcast. Watch this exclusive video recording of the discussion covering the long-term impacts of the coronavirus crisis on global vehicle demand, economic and environmental policy, logistics and manufacturing operations.
Watch: Livestream | The Coronavirus Series – Automotive Supply Chain March Update Presented by Automotive from Ultima Media, hear from our analysts as they share insight on how the coronavirus crisis will impact global vehicle sales and what it will mean for automotive manufacturing and logistics. You will also hear from Supply Chain and Technology Strategist, Wolfgang Lehmacher, and his views on how supply chains could the crisis could lead to permanent changes in the wider supply chain.
At the centre of change for Volkswagen Group Martin Hofmann, chief information office of the Volkswagen Group (pictured, right), explains how the carmaker is transforming its IT system backbone and legacy infrastructure across manufacturing, purchasing, supply chain and engineering – and how Volkswagen is now able to attract top software talent. Christopher Ludwig
Map: Volkswagen’s growing network of IT expertise Volkswagen Group IT has opened or expanded global IT and software centers, with growing significance across the company’s IT research and operations. Check out a map of their key locations and functions. Christopher Ludwig
Building Volkswagen’s Industrial Cloud Volkswagen Group’s landmark project with Amazon Web Services will help to connect all its global factories, and eventually the spply chain as well. At the core of the project is a drive to establish a standard software stack that will transform the way production IT is developed and implemented across Volkswagen locations. Christopher Ludwig
The new shape of IT at Volkswagen Over the past two years, Volkswagen’s central Group IT division, led by CIO Martin Hofmann, has been expanding staff numbers, investment and digital projects across the group’s business processes, and working more closely with brands like Audi, Porsche and Skoda. In the first of a multi-part article special on Group IT, we explain the evolving shape of the organisation. Christopher Ludwig
Powertrain forecast to 2030: Navigating the road to electrification Download this report for forecasts of eight different powertrains across regions, including all degrees of hybridisation, electrification and internal combustion engines, which reveal changes that will have huge implications for the future of the automotive supply chain. The latest insight by the business intelligence unit of Automotive from Ultima Media Automotive from Ultima Media
Stretching to the limit: How Sollers and Lorus move finished vehicles across Russia Operating across the largest country in the world – Russia – would be a challenge for any logistics operation, even without economic difficulties. OEM Sollers decided to distribute its finished vehicles in partnership with 4PL Lorus SCM Vladislav Vorotnikov
Motoring on: Brazil’s heavyweight OEMs prepare for growth Brazilian truck and bus sales picked up strongly last year following the country’s long recession, and now both OEMs and logistics providers are hoping the trend continues Tony Danby
FCA renews contract with Ceva in Brazil Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has extended its aftermarket contract with Ceva Logistics in Brazil for a further four and a half years. Marcus Williams
Containerisation: Why finished vehicle logistics needs to think inside the box While ro-ro is the traditional method of shipping finished vehicles, containerisation is becoming increasingly viable as the automotive industry decentralises and introduces more EVs. Growth in China and South East Asia offers particularly good opportunities Marcus Williams
The long way home For inbound automotive supply chains, returnable packaging just makes sense. No carmaker wants to spend money on wood, paper and cardboard again and again, only to have to fork out straight away for costly waste disposal. Jonathan Ward
Mines of information Having invested over the past 20 years in data acquisition technology, the automotive industry is now casting around for ways to make sense of that data. Malcolm Wheatley
The twilight of global trade? Globalisation and free trade may be reversing towards regional supply chains for a mix of policy and economic reasons Malcolm Ramsay Malcolm Wheatley
Service parts part 3: Aftermarket operations and network 20 years of change in automotive service parts logistics Christopher Ludwig
Service parts part 1: Moving fast towards the customer Twenty years of automotive service parts logistics Christopher Ludwig
Production & logistics part 4: Logistics organisations and skills How has your company’s supply chain and logistics management organisation changed over the past 20 years? Christopher Ludwig
Production & logistics part 3: Operations, packaging and IT How have supply chain operations for logistics changed over the past 20 years? Christopher Ludwig
Production & logistics part 2: Questioning the future This article is one of a series of pieces celebrating Automotive Logistics’ 20th anniversary issue that together take an extended look at the way top executives feel automotive production and logistics have changed in the last two decades – and where they see them heading in the future. Christopher Ludwig
Production & logistics part 1: Where are we now? This article kicks off a series of pieces celebrating Automotive Logistics’ 20th anniversary issue that together take an extended look at the way top executives feel automotive production and logistics have changed in the last two decades – and where they see them heading in the future. Christopher Ludwig
In-depth analysis: strong logistics and supply base central to Ford’s new Mexico plant Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 2: Global strategies Ford intends to support dealers through its Professional Service Network, a proliferation of Quick Lane stores and extended parts retention. Christopher Ludwig
Ford part 1: Always looking ahead In the first of a four-part feature, Christopher Ludwig talks to Ford Customer Service Division president Frederiek Toney (pictured) about changing times for logistics and providing global customer service Christopher Ludwig
Markus Lange takes over Volkswagen Group’s outbound logistics; Andrea Eck leads Logistics Campus Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
