Automotive supply chain Q4 2025 outlook: Cost pressures, tariff uncertainty and disruption Cost pressures have surged, impacting companies within the automotive supply chain, whilst tariff uncertainty persists and supply chain disruption lingers. Daniel Harrison
Aumovio expands ADAS manufacturing and supports Aurora Innovation Aumovio, formerly Continental's automotive division, has announced a $110m investment to nearly double production space at its New Braunfels facility in Texas. Marcus Williams
Congestion, capacity and complexity all concerns for cross-border logistics Against a backdrop of global trade uncertainty, ALSC Global 2025 highlighted some challenges and opportunities presented by cross-border automotive logistics. James McLoughlin
Schaeffler to develop humanoids with Neura Robotics Tier supplier Schaeffler has partnered with Neura Robotics to supply key components for humanoid robots and jointly work to develop data for robot training. Marcus Williams
BASF to bolster European chip supply with ammonium hydroxide plant BASF is contributing to a stronger supply chain for semiconductors in Europe by building an electronic grade ammonium hydroxide plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany. Marcus Williams
ZF restructures CV aftermarket business in UK and Ireland ZF Friedrichshafen has restructured its UK&I commercial vehicle aftermarket division, combining IAM sales, service parts and fleet sales operations. Marcus Williams
China lifts export ban following Trump-Xi meeting, allowing flow of Nexperia chips to resume China has reversed export restrictions on critical automotive semiconductors following a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, though European manufacturers remain cautious about the speed and scope of the resumption. Ilkhan Ozsevim James McLoughlin
Farmers’ protests see road blockades in Mexico impact automotive supply chains including plant closures Road blockades formed as part of farmers' protests in Mexico have impacted automotive supply chains, forcing plants to shut down across the country. James McLoughlin
Trump and Xi agree on US-China tariff reduction and rare earths supply During his trip to Asia, US president Donald Trump met with China’s president Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea. Although no comprehensive deal could yet be reached, Trump announced a tariff reduction for Chinese imports to the US and China agreed to continue the flow of rare earth minerals to the US. James McLoughlin
American Axle & Manufacturing gets tax break for $133m investment in Michigan site American Axle & Manufacturing received an SESA exemption for a $133m investment in its Michigan facility, which was chosen over its site in Mexico for upgrades. 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
Ford faces $1 billion hit after fire at aluminium supplier’s New York plant A blaze at aluminium supplier Novelis’ New York plant is expected to impact Ford’s F-150 production and hit its bottom line by up to $1 billion, analysts say. James McLoughlin
Watch: Mazda's John Rich on AI and data integration in automotive supply chains John Rich, manager of data analytics & AI programmes at Mazda, discusses AI, machine learning and maximising the end-to-end impact of these technologies on the automotive sector. Automotive Logistics
JLR restarts manufacturing operations and announces financing scheme for suppliers JLR has announced that it has restarted manufacturing operations at two UK sites in the wake of a disruptive cyber incident, and is "fast-tracking" a new financing scheme for "qualifying JLR suppliers". James McLoughlin
Watch: Bosch's Adam Olson on digitalisation, de-risking and developing talent Adam Olson, vice president, logistics mobility Americas at Bosch, discusses how the company is cultivating a skilled workforce, ensuring AI readiness and using digital technologies to predict potential supply chain disruptions. Automotive Logistics
US truck tariff to come into effect on November 1, Trump confirms Several truck makers are cautiously assessing the impact of a 25% Section 232 tariff on heavy truck imports that the US is imposing from November 1, but the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been more direct in its response to the tariffs. Marcus Williams James McLoughlin
AI takes on a greater role in production and logistics Advanced AI applications and predictive analysis are transforming vehicle production in Spain, enabling greater operational efficiency and improving the competitiveness of the country's automotive industry. Marcus Williams
Panjit International secures chip line in Philippines to meet auto demand Amid shifting trade dynamics and escalating EV semiconductor demand, the new partnership enhances Panjit's global supply strategy with added capacity and regional diversification. Marcus Williams
UK Government set to invest £2.5 billion in auto industry over next decade Part of the wider Industrial Strategy, the programme hopes to boost advanced manufacturing capabilities and reinforce electrification efforts. Charlie Blackie-Kelly
Evtec Aluminium to supply JLR with EV powertrain components JLR has signed a supply contract with Evtec Aluminium for the supply of powertrain components on Jaguar’s new line of electric vehicles (EVs), beginning in 2025. They include parts for a 4-door GT model as well as a luxury sedan. The deal is estimated to be worth $67m for Evtec, according to the supplier. Marcus Williams
Pirelli to invest €114m in Mexico plant Pirelli has announced an additional €114m ($114m) investment in its Silao plant, in the Puerto Interior industrial hub in Guanajuato state, Mexico. The plant, established in 2012, will have received €800m investment from its parent company, with the new funds. Hazel Southwell
Schaeffler India opens parts CDC in Hosur Schaeffler’s division in India has opened a parts consolidation and distribution centre (CDC) in Hosur, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Marcus Williams
Bosch to invest €3 billion to increase semiconductor supply The EU and German government will part-fund the expansion of the semiconductor manufacturing which the bloc has identified as an area of strategic importance. Peter Murphy
Wolfspeed opens Mohawk Valley semiconductor fab in US Silicon carbide supplier Wolfspeed has opened a wafer fabrication facility (fab) at Marcy in New York state to support semiconductor production in the US. Marcus Williams
Bosch invests in capacity to tackle semiconductor shortage Bosch is extending its wafer fabrication facility in Reutlingen, Germany to help tackle the global semiconductor shortage. Marcus Williams
Cummins to acquire Meritor in $3.7 billion deal In the latest example of tier one supplier consolidation, engine-maker Cummins is buying Meritor for $3.7 billion. Meritor makes powertrain and brake components for the commercial vehicle sector. Together the companies intend to advance the development of electric commercial vehicle technology and make more sustainable products. Jason Dunn
Faurecia and Hella combine forces in the aftermarket Following Faurecia’s €5.3 billion ($6 billion) takeover of Hella at the end of January, the merged tier one parts suppliers have announced they will operate under the name Forvia and will start providing combined aftersales products and services, beginning with exhaust systems. Marcus Williams
Smarter parts mean risk and opportunity for supply chain Just because an electric vehicle (EV) has fewer moving parts that doesn’t mean the supply chain and logistics planning behind its build is a simpler process. Marcus Williams
North American tier ones tackle a troublesome year The automotive supply chain in North America is having a worse year than it did in Covid-stricken 2020. For the tier one suppliers based there, it is an ongoing fight to deliver parts in the face of widespread supply chain disruption. Marcus Williams
Clepa calls for EU strategy to tackle semiconductor shortage The European Association of Automotive Suppliers (Clepa) has said that that the shortage in the supply of semiconductors has so far delayed the production of 500,000 vehicles globally. It also said the shortage is likely to be felt well into 2022 and will limit vehicle manufacturers’ ability to restore global vehicle inventories for the rest of this year at least. Marcus Williams
Marelli signs 4PL contract with DHL Supply Chain in North America Tier one parts supplier Marelli has signed a five-year contract with DHL Supply Chain for logistics services in North America. Marcus Williams
Yazaki’s proactive, risk-averse approach to the crisis a success, says Bo Andersson Yazaki is taking a more strategic and coordinated approach to the automotive supply chain as it continues to stabilise production in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. Bo Andersson, Yazaki’s president of Europe and CEO and president of North America, says the company is looking for opportunities to consolidate and improve logistics planning and control, including through the use of third party logistics (3PL) providers, greater localisation, communication and inventory planning Marcus Williams
Watch: A royal entry to Mexico’s competitive supply base Kevin Reed, vice-president of supply chain at tier two electronics and battery component supplier Royal Power, talks to Daniel Harrison about why the company recently built a new plant in Mexico, and the challenges facing its supply chain and logistics. In the context of declining margins among tier suppliers, Reed discusses the key advantages of moving to Mexico to better serve customers and compete, and why maximising efficiency in the supply chain is a crucial differentiator.For more on the major financial and technological challenges facing tier suppliers, download our comprehensive study of margins in the supply chain, and check out our dedicated webinar on managing margins in the supply chain.
Your webinar questions answered: How tier 1 suppliers are responding to tough headwinds You asked, we answer. We return to the questions from our audience that we didn’t have time to answer in our live webinar, ranging from which parts of automotive tier 1 suppliers’ business models are at risk of commodification, to how tier suppliers are changing supply chain processes Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig
Automotive suppliers buying and spinning their way into high tech segments As BorgWarner’s acquisition of Delphi Technologies shows, tier one automotive suppliers are turning to acquisitions and restructuring their business to focus on advanced technology, helping to protect margins, avoid commodification and transition to electrified powertrains Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig
Electric vehicles could transform role of tier 1 suppliers in managing logistics As OEMs look to reduce production costs and manage more complexity, automotive suppliers will face challenges. But with more EV models in the pipeline, many have the opportunity to grab a larger piece of the pie both for manufacturing and supply chain management. Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig
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 Daniel Harrison Christopher Ludwig
Tearing profits apart: how tier one automotive suppliers can mitigate shrinking margins The latest report by Automotive from Ultima Media examines the profits and outlook for the top 20 automotive parts suppliers and explores the strategies and solutions they should consider to avoid significant disruption in the 2020s. Automotive from Ultima Media
Suppliers will face squeeze as OEMs push to meet EU CO2 targets As carmakers strive to reach the more stringent CO2 emissions targets being phased in across the EU next year, we predict that many are likely to put more pressure on their supply base to help reduce emissions Automotive from Ultima Media
Eberspächer expands supply network for western Europe and north Africa Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Global conference: Know your supply chain better Manufacturers and logistics providers at the Automotive Logistics Global conference are doing more to integrate their supply chains from end to end, and are keen to use data and analytics to anticipate problems before they arise. Christopher Ludwig
Plant locations: Right place, right time Considerations such as market demand, time to market, regulations, supplier and infrastructure issues are essential in choosing new manufacturing locations. Automotive Logistics
Supply Chain Conference executive report: A connection worth more than the sum of its parts Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
China conference: preparing for the new and the old, for growth and decline Chris Ludwig 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
Europe Conference: Planning for more than the Zeitgeist in the supply chain Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Magna Europe awards providers getting safer, smarter, lighter, cleaner Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Maruti Suzuki on raising the Indian supply chain Competition can do wonders for a business. When rivals outdo a company, it is often forced to explore possibilities that were previously unknown to it. This is something Sudam Maitra, former senior managing executive officer for supply chain at Maruti Suzuki, realised early in a purchasing career that has spanned three decades ramesh
Complexity meets coordination at Magna Europe Magna Logistics Europe has increasingly taken a more integrated approach to engineering logistics across the tier supplier’s massive European network, including rolling out IT tools and concepts developed at contract manufacturing unit, Magna Steyr Christopher Ludwig
Logistics from concept to assembly at Magna Steyr Magna’s contracting manufacturing arm, Magna Steyr, has developed a highly integrated approach to supply chain management, including the virtual design of logistics and supply concepts, some of which is being applied to other Magna plants Christopher Ludwig
Growth and other good problems to have in North American supply chains Chris Ludwig Christopher Ludwig
Behr necessities for tier one expansion Behr America is putting logistics at the heart of its North American growth, including adding new assembly processes, changing 3PLs and increasing its use of intermodal transport Anthony Coia
