Tag: toyota

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Toyota is using hydrogen fuel cell trucks supplied by VDL Groep for parts distribution in Europe

Toyota has added four more hydrogen fuel cell trucks for automotive parts distribution between its European parts centre in Belgium and locations in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Marcus Williams

North American Dealers Association reports light vehicle sales slow after pre-tariff surge

The surge in US vehicle sales caused by US trade policy on vehicle imports has subsided while behind-the-scences discussions continue between US policy makers and leading vehicle makers seeking a remedy to the 25% levy.

Marcus Williams

UECC adds dual-fuel LNG vessel to European network along with third Turkish port call

UECC has added another dual-fuel LNG vessel to its network connecting northern Europe and the Mediterranean, as well as adding a third Turkish port in answer to demand for more sustainable finished vehicle services.

Marcus Williams

Toyota is considering moving production of the GR Corolla from Japan to the UK

While the news is not yet official, sources say that Toyota will add an additional production line to its Burnaston plant to try and meet demand for the sports model. If the move goes ahead, production is expected to begin mid-2026.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

In the face of global trade wars and tempered demand, has the battery supply chain in North America lost its charge?

The Trump administration has reversed legislation designed to bolster localised electric vehicle manufacturing and incentivise sales in the US but native and foreign carmakers continue to invest to strengthen infrastructure and supply chain.

Charlie Blackie-Kelly

Toyota tops supplier relations index as Ford and Stellantis continue to decline amid rising cost and trust challenges

Plante Moran experts in supplier relations speak to Automotive Logistics about this year’s North American Automotive OEM Supplier Working Relations Index study, and why Toyota keep rising while Ford keeps falling.

Megan Kelly

Toyota plans to produce next-generation lithium batteries in Japan on hold

Toyota is revising its plans for battery production in Kyushu, Japan in the light of electric vehicle demand and rising material prices.

Marcus Williams

Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK is getting ready to launch its first European recycling factory in the UK

Toyota is launching is European recycling initiative in the UK with the launch of its Toyota Circular Factory at the Burnaston plant in Q3 this year, which will supply 120,000 recycled parts to the aftermarket.

Marcus Williams

Red Sofa interview | Toyota Motor Europe’s head of parts supply chain shares approach to complex service parts demands

Toyota’s approach to service parts logistics is focused on reliability and efficiency, ensuring dealers always have the right parts at the right time. Karel Verpoorten outlines how Toyota is adapting to evolving market demands with a flexible, customer-first strategy.

Consolidation in the Toyota Automated Logistics Group as Bastian takes over viastore North America

Bastian Solutions has incorporated the business of viastore in North America to strengthen material handling equipment services as part of the Toyota Automated Logistics Group.

Marcus Williams

Jaxport completes first stage of $60m berth expansion at Blount Island vehicle terminal as Toyota prepares to expand operations

The port of Jacksonville has completed first of two berth expansions designed to accommodate bigger car carrier vessels which will help it manage turnaround as vehicle volumes increase, not least for Toyota.

Marcus Williams

Trump’s proposed Ukraine peace deal signals major shifts in automotive logistics, reshaping markets in Russia, Europe, and China

A 30-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire proposed by the Trump administration on March 11, designed to be a prelude to a lasting peace deal, can pave the way to tremendous changes for the automotive industry in Russia, Europe and China.

Vladislav Vorotnikov

How Trump’s presidency is reshaping automotive logistics: A timeline of tariffs, trade disputes, and EV policy shifts

The US election outcome triggers uncertainty for automotive logistics, with tariffs, trade wars, and supply chain risks ahead.

Megan Kelly

UECC’s sustainable strategy is turning regulation on maritime emissions into a commercial advantage

UECC has outlined its strategy for compliance with European regulations on maritime decarbonisation and how it is supplying OEM customers with alternative fuels

Marcus Williams

Toyota is making its own batteries at a plant in North Carolina and will be begin local supply in April

Toyota will be begin shipping lithium batteries from its own plant in North Carolina from April this year, beginning with deliveries by truck to its Kentucky assembly plant in Georgetown

Marcus Williams

Expert perspectives on nearshoring: Top 10 Red Sofa interviews on supply chain strategy

The strategy of nearshoring is reshaping supply chains, bringing immense opportunities and challenges to the forefront. We sat down on the Red Sofa with experts leading the trend across the automotive supply chain.

Megan Kelly

Associated British Ports to develop Stallingborough finished vehicle facility in Humber region of UK

Associated British Ports is developing a vehicle storage and distribution facility near the Humber ports of Grimsby and Immingham in the UK.

Marcus Williams

Join BMW, Tesla, JLR, and more at ALSC Europe 2025 in Bonn for key automotive logistics insights

Europe’s premier automotive logistics and supply chain conference returns to Bonn this 18-20 March.

Automotive Logistics

Register now: Automotive logistics & supply chain – review of 2025 and opportunities in 2026

Join Automotive Logistics’ exclusive livestream, Automotive logistics & supply chain – Review of 2025 and opportunities in 2026, to hear from thought leaders and experts and learn not just the lessons of the year, but how to be best placed to take advantage of the opportunities in 2026 and beyond.

Automotive Logistics

Seismic shifts in the global trade of electric vehicles: 2024 in review

The car industry is going through a volatile adaptation as it seeks to decarbonise mobility and clean up the logistics supporting production. This year it has also been dealing with trade and labour disruption but the focus is adamantly on a more resilient supply chain and the adoption of digital technology.

Marcus Williams

Top automotive logistics Red Sofa insights of 2024: Sustainability, digitalisation, nearshoring and robotics strategies from leading OEMs

As 2024 draws to a close, we’re looking back at some of our best Red Sofa interviews from this year, where we spoke to experts across the globe about automotive logistics and strategies for success in the supply chain.

Megan Kelly

Watch: Digital transformation trends in automotive logistics at day two of ALSC DS Europe

Christopher Ludwig, chief content editor at Automotive Logistics, highlights key themes from Day 2 of ALSC Digital Strategies Europe in Munich. The event highlighted actionable strategies, real-world use cases and tools shaping the future of automotive logistics.

Red Sofa interview | JC Deville on how Toyota is driving digitalisation in vehicle logistics

Toyota Motor Europe’s vice-president of supply chain, Jean-Christophe Deville, shares key insights on Toyota’s innovative projects aimed at enhancing vehicle logistics through digitalisation.

Jean-Christophe Deville on digital strategies in Toyota Motor Europe’s mega hub

Toyota Motor Europe’s digitalisation strategy involves collaboration, precision and leveraging its mega hub to move into performance mode.

Megan Kelly

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.

Megan Kelly

Mexico needs a long-term framework of certainty to make good on its future as North America’s automotive hub

The majority of Mexico’s vehicle and parts output goes to the wider North American market and that demand is increasing, but to keep up with that demand automotive companies need to work more closely with the government to improve infrastructure and security, according to speakers at the tenth Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico conference.

Marcus Williams

Toyota México’s senior director of external affairs and trade compliance, Lizette Gracida says, “Mexico’s nearshoring is a historic opportunity with strategic challenges”

Toyota’s $1.4 billion investment is helping pave the way for Mexico to become a leader in nearshoring and sustainable logistics. In a Red Sofa interview at the 2024 Automotive Logistics Supply Chain Mexico conference, Lizette Gracida, senior director of external affairs and trade compliance at Toyota’s Mexico division, discusses how strategic policies can support this transformation.

Toyota announces $1.4 billion investment in Mexico for its Baja California and Guanajuato facilities

Toyota has announced it will invest $1.45 billion into its factories in Mexico to renovate its facilities in Tecate, Baja California and Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato.

Megan Kelly

Toyota inaugurates vehicle mega hub in Czech Republic with support from Ceva Logistics

Toyota Motor Europe’s (TME) new €17m ($18m) mega hub in Kolín, Czech Republic, now processes up to 350,000 vehicles annually, streamlining pre-delivery customisation. With integrated rail links, the hub also helps TME reduce carbon emissions, supporting its sustainability goals over previous logistics models.

Marcus Williams

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).

Marcus Williams

How process-mining in the automotive supply chain drives efficiency

The automotive supply chain has been adopting digital technologies to improve visibility, particularly in the finished vehicle logistics (FVL) sector, helping to speed up deliveries and keep costs at a minimum.

Megan Kelly

ALSC Mexico 2024 set to return to Mexico City for 10th year

More than 550 leading OEMs, logistics providers, supply chain technology specialists and officials will reunite during the event.

Automotive Logistics

Toyota says battery EV outlook remains secure and flexible

Toyota said it is assessing customer demand for electric vehicles and responding flexibly with a range of model options, despite reports it was cutting its EV output. The carmaker was responding to a report in the Nikkei financial news source which said it has revised targets for pure battery electric vehicle (BEV) production and will cut its forecast for 2026 to 1m cars, around 30% lower than its previous forecast.

Marcus Williams

Toyota and Ford sign up to UECC’s Sail for Change programme

Toyota and Ford have signed up for United European Car Carriers’ (UECC) Sail for Change sustainability programme and will use UECC short-sea ro-ro vessels fuelled by bioLNG for finished vehicle transport across Europe. A third unnamed carmaker has also joined the initiative, according to UECC.

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

Watch on demand - Accelerating change: the power of process-led transformation in automotive logistics

Join this exclusive livestream to learn how carmakers like Toyota can leverage process mining and optimisation to contain costs, maximise revenue, and free up working capital in supply chain and logistics.

Michael Schad leads Toyota North America service parts supply chain after Mike Schober retires

Since late spring this year, Schad oversees Toyota’s service parts and accessory supply chain in North America with a strong focus on delivery speed and automation. Mike Schober has retired after 25 years with Toyota and drastically reducing order-to-delivery times for dealer part orders.

Christopher Ludwig

How manufacturers like Toyota and Forvia ensure digital interoperability in the automotive supply chain

OEMs and logistics firms are finding interoperability and integration of digital tools across the end-to-end supply chain challenging, according to industry leaders at Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America 2024, held in Nashville, Tennessee.

Megan Kelly

Red Sofa Interview | Toyota’s David Herb on the future of AI in supply and demand planning

At the inaugural ALSC Digital Strategies North America, David Herb, Business Insights and Strategy manager, Demand and Supply Management, Toyota North America took to the Red Sofa to talk about the benefits and opportunities of AI in supply and demand forecasting.

ALSC Digital Strategies North America: Recap blog

Follow our recap blog below for key highlights and knowledge shared at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America 2024, which focused on digitalising North America’s end-to-end automotive supply chain. Following the event in Nashville on 26-27 June, we will continue sharing news and features that relate to the speakers and companies involved in the event. Keep following the blog, as we will share videos straight from the main stage and the Red Sofa at the event!

Automotive Logistics

Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America - Day one wrap-up

As Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Digital Strategies North America 2024 kicks off for the first time ever, join us to take a look at all the inspiring content of the day. From discussions on organisational and supply chain transformation, to risk-sensing and increasing visibility through digital tools.

Sharing risk drives supplier relations for GM, Stellantis, Honda, Nissan

The key driver in improving supplier relations is sharing risk and cost in an equitable way, according to an annual study by Plante Moran.

Megan Kelly

North American vehicle ports review: US and Canada ports adapt after Francis Scott Key bridge collapse

[Updated June 17] Vehicle shipments to the US and Canada have been subject to disruption over the last year, culminating in March with the Baltimore bridge collapse. However, as our annual review of activity at the top-performing vehicle ports shows, that has only tested the mettle of agile cooperation between ports and inland logistics providers. Marcus Williams reports

Marcus Williams

Toyota opens Tri-Gen renewable hydrogen system at Long Beach port

Toyota Motor North America has officially opened a Tri-Gen renewable hydrogen and electricity system at its vehicle processing centre (VPC) at the US port of Long Beach. As reported in September last year, it is the first port VPC in the world to be exclusively powered by onsite-generated, 100% renewable electricity.

Marcus Williams

Containerised car deliveries soar on the US east coast

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) handled more than 35,000 containerised vehicles in 2023, ten times the amount it handled in the previous year.

Marcus Williams

US Coast Guard opens alternate channel at Baltimore bridge site

The US Coast Guard has opened an alternate channel for vessels at the site of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore port.

Megan Kelly

Highlights from ALSC Europe day one

At our recent Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Europe 2024 conference in Bonn, Germany we heard from some of the biggest OEMs, logistics partners and tier suppliers in the continent, who discussed how to deliver a competitive edge through logistics. While the event may be over, Automotive Logistics will continue to bring some of the most important and insightful highlights from the conference.

Megan Kelly

Red Sofa Interview: Why Toyota Motor Europe isn’t looking for flexibility

Jean Christophe Deville, vice-president of supply chain at Toyota Motor Europe said he isn’t looking for flexibility in his logistics partners, and is instead looking for forecasting capabilities.

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

Sheena Patel

Dom Tribe

GM, Tesla, BYD, Toyota & VW at risk of forced labour in Chinese aluminium supply chains

Global carmakers including GM, Tesla, BYD, Toyota and Volkswagen are failing to minimise the risk of Uyghur forced labour being used in aluminium sourcing.

Megan Kelly

Red Sofa Interview: Collaborating with Mexican authorities to ease logistics constraints

Lizette Gracida, senior director of external affairs and trade compliance at Toyota Motor de Mexico joins the Red Sofa at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Mexico to share how collaboration can ease bottlenecks and improve logistics within the country.

Toyota pushes forward with Battery 3R circular economy strategy

Toyota is implementing a number of sustainable strategies aimed at the creation of a circular economy for its electric vehicles, including the reuse and recycling of lithium batteries under its Battery 3R initiative to reduce, rebuild/reuse and recycle.

Marcus Williams

Suppliers Partnership for the Environment publishes latest guidance on expendable packaging

The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) has published new guidelines to help OEMs and their suppliers source sustainable packaging designs for use in expendable packaging.

Marcus Williams

Toyota cultures ambassadors for its digital strategy

The automotive supply chain has become more complex since Covid, demanding from carmakers a more cross-functional strategy supported by the latest digital technology. At Toyota Motor Europe (TME) it also means making its 2,000-strong supply chain team ambassadors for that strategy.

Marcus Williams

Toyota boosts investment in US battery plant with eight extra lines

Toyota is adding $8 billion of investment to its Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBNMA) facility in the US, which is currently under construction. It brings total investment in the plant to $13.9 billion and the creation of 5,000 jobs.

Marcus Williams

Insights from ECG conference: steering sustainability in European vehicle logistics and beyond

Automotive logistics leaders prioritised action over measurement for carbon emissions at this year’s conference held by the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG). Regulatory support, tech diversity, collaboration and trust were flagged as key actions for long-term success.

Ilkhan Ozsevim

Toyota halts production in Japan after supplier plant explosion

[Updated October 24] Toyota had to suspend assembly operations across seven plants in Japan last week because of supply problems caused by an explosion at the plant of one of its suppliers – Chuo Spring. The company supplies Toyota with coil springs.

Marcus Williams

ALSC Global 2023 On Demand: That’s a wrap!

Christopher Ludwig, Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Logistics sits on the Red Sofa for a final time as we wrap up Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global 2023 in Dearborn, Michigan.

ALSC Global 2023 On Demand: Welcome drinks and what to expect

Christopher Ludwig, Editor-in-Chief, Automotive Logistics wraps up the welcoming night of Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global 2023 at the Welcome Drinks Reception, sponsored by Kuehne+Nagel. He talks about highlights to expect over the course of the event, and what the hot topics will be.

LG Energy Solution to supply Toyota with batteries for EV production in US

Toyota Motor North America has signed a battery supply deal with LG Energy Solution that will start in 2025. The battery maker will supply Toyota with lithium-ion batteries for its electric vehicle (EV) production in the US. The deal represents LG Energy’s largest single supply agreement secured outside of any joint venture deals.

Marcus Williams

Red Sofa Interview: Toyota invests in people and partners for North American service parts logistics

Michael Schad, who leads service parts fufillment and logistics at Toyota North America, joins the Red Sofa to explain how the carmaker is enhancing its service parts distribution through improved training, new technology and more delivery and pickup options across the US.

Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global: Recap

Follow our recap blog below to get the most important insights from Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Global 2023 in Detroit.

Megan Kelly

Toyota suspends all Japan assembly plants following order system glitch

Toyota has suspended all operations across all its Japan plants due to a glitch in its production order system that occurred yesterday.

Megan Kelly

Leon Van der Merwe is VP of circular economy in Europe at Toyota; JC Deville takes the reins as VP of supply chain

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has reshuffled the roles of Leon Van der Merwe and Jean-Christophe Deville in an executive restructuring, with Deville set to lead the carmaker’s logistics and supply chain management function.

Megan Kelly

Toyota to trial specialist software in European inbound logistics network design

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has confirmed the use of specialist optimisation software to help manage its inbound parts logistics and reduce carbon emissions through a pilot project using software provided by optimisation company Agillence.

Megan Kelly

Suppliers demand OEM accountability on EV plans to support supply chain investment

Suppliers need “commitment and accountability” from OEMs across departments on EV strategy and purchasing, according to a major North America OEM-supplier relations index

Megan Kelly

First order of business at Toyota

Toyota Logistics Services is tackling capacity constraints in the export of its vehicles from the US with a new process to improve sequencing at the ports. Missy Pearlman, general manager of the business, talks about the new system, TLS’ supply chain alignment and why a culture of respect is central to the carmaker’s future

Marcus Williams

Logistics in the virtual world: how Toyota is using AR/VR in training and logistics centres

Dave Kleiner, from Toyota’s Applied Technology Research Lab, explains the technology and benefits of immersive training and digital twins for the carmaker’s logistics operations.

Rebuilding trust is key to solving the European capacity crisis

The stubborn capacity crisis in the finished vehicle logistics sector in Europe will take time to mend, delegates at the Association of European Vehicle Logistics’ (ECG) Spring Congress heard last week, but industry dialogue is slowly helping to repair broken trust and disrupted contracting cycles.

Malcolm Ramsay

Toyota and Paccar build on fuel-cell truck partnership

Toyota Motor North America is growing the scope of its collaboration with truck maker Paccar to develop Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks powered by Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cells (FCEV).

Marcus Williams

US Senate investigates forced labour in auto supply chain

The US Senate Committee on Finance is looking into the use of Chinese forced labour in the automotive supply chain, and has sent letters to global carmakers and tier one suppliers to ascertain how they are sourcing materials and overseeing their supply chains.

Marcus Williams

Taking the smoke out of the chain

Vehicle makers are working with logistics providers to make the movement of parts and finished vehicles in Europe more sustainable. Malcolm Ramsay looks at localised battery supply, the use of etrucks and use of more rail

Malcolm Ramsay

Supply chain needs its own movement in the C-suite

Recruiting and retaining staff in automotive logistics is one of the most pressing issues the industry is currently facing, with shortages reported across all functions, from warehouse labour to truck driving.

Marcus Williams

Interview: Jean-Christophe Deville, Head of Production and Logistics, Toyota

Toyota’s Jean-Christophe Deville discusses prioritising supply chain planning with the customer view, providing LSPs in Europe with confidence to invest and dealing with the bumps in the long road to sustainable logistics.

Mazda begins exports of CX-50 from US to Mexico

Mazda has started exporting its CX-50 crossover to Mexico from the US joint venture plant it runs with Toyota in Huntsville, Alabama.

Marcus Williams

Getting the teams up to speed at Toyota

Restocking US dealer vehicle inventories remains a priority for carmakers after three years of supply chain disruption. That requires a talented workforce that can make and move the vehicles, and troubleshoot with accuracy any holdups in the process. Toyota is tackling that problem with the latest digital tools from Microsoft

Marcus Williams

Jean-Christophe Deville brings together production and vehicle logistics at Toyota

Jean-Christophe Deville, who has been head of vehicle logistics at Toyota Motor Europe (TME) since 2021, has now expanded his role at the carmaker to include production logistics.

Marcus Williams

Toyota converts former Melbourne plant into mega PDI facility

Toyota said the facility has the capacity to handle 67,000 units annually and is ramping up to 220 units a day (55,000 pa) to meet current demand. Those vehicles are distributed to the dealer network in Victoria and Tasmania.

Marcus Williams

Pearlman replaces Hobgood as GM of Toyota Logistics Services

Missy Pearlman has taken over as general manager of Toyota Logistics Services (TLS) in the US, replacing Lee Hobgood, who is retiring after 36 years with Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).

Marcus Williams

Recovery and discovery: five lessons from ALSC Mexico 2022

Risk might be an inevitable part of our future but experts at this year’s Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico conference highlighted opportunities to manage that and build resilience into the automotive supply chain with collaboration and the latest technologies.

Hazel Southwell

Mexico needs a holistic energy policy – interview with Lizette Gracida, Toyota de Mexico

Toyota’s Lizette Gracida stresses the importance of the government stetting a plan for Mexico to transition to clean energy and to keep in dialogue with the automotive industry on optimising trade agreements and processes.

Clean energy, flexibility, digital mindsets: conference day one in review at Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain Mexico

Mexico’s recovery depends on stronger logistics and more coordinated government policy to support clean energy, infrastructure, trade and electrification. Editor-in-chief Christopher Ludwig assesses the significance after discussions with leaders from Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, Audi, American Axle and more.

Reimagining Mexican automotive supply chains and logistics

The opening session of Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Mexico focused on reimagining policies and regulations with Chris Styles, Vice President Supply Chain Management North America at Nissan, Lizette Gracida, Senior Director of Institutional Affairs and Foreign Trade at Toyota Motor de México to explore the changing policies and regulations that impact automotive supply chains, and the opportunities for manufacturers in Mexico to increase localised production, strengthen exports and invest in future technology, including battery and electrification.

Government policy will support growth in Mexico

US regulation designed to localise production of electric vehicles in North America is helping to make Mexico a more attractive production location, but the country needs its own supportive policies and improvements to infrastructure, according to Nissan and Toyota.

Hazel Southwell

Strategies for a sustainable US auto sector

The latest legislation on domestic EV production in the US will strengthen a more sustainable vehicle industry there, but it will also lead to a significant shift in the balance of imports and exports

Marcus Williams

Russia pins hopes on electric future as carmakers continue exodus

Russia is hoping to salvage its automotive sector by pumping billions in investment into electric vehicle (EV) production, rather than trying to rescue production of combustion-engine vehicles at the car plants left redundant by western carmakers who are leaving the country en masse.

Automotive Logistics

Shedding the legacy of short-term contracts

The critical shortage of capacity for finished vehicle deliveries in Europe is making carmakers reassess their short-term contract arrangements with outbound logistics providers. At this autumn’s annual conference of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), Toyota and VW Group said the industry cannot survive without longer-term contracts and closer collaboration to improve outbound visibility.

Marcus Williams

Better pay and conditions will help solve the capacity crisis

There is currently a capacity crisis in European finished vehicle deliveries and the situation is going to get worse before it gets better, according to the board of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), which held its annual conference in the Austrian capital Vienna last week.

Marcus Williams

Six notes on a supply chain crisis: key takeaways from ALSC Global 2022

Summing up what was said at this year’s Detroit event: flexibility rules the waves of logistics, but supply chain managers want better visibility and data to make decisions, while investing in the right skills and labour.

Christopher Ludwig

Collaborating from the start to design automotive logistics networks and processes

Logistics executives from Toyota North America, Benteler, Carter Logistics and Agillence explore the strategic considerations for logistics from early in product development cycles.

Global automotive outlook: no return to normal

Leading analyst Joe McCabe shares insight on the key trends shaping the market, including EV forecasts, semiconductors and OEMs’ inventory and business models.

The benefits of a better pack mentality

As a members of the Supplier Partnership for the Environment association, carmaker GM and parts supplier Magna International have been helping to push forward a more sustainable and cost-effective use of packaging for parts shipments

Marcus Williams

Jaxport promotes James Bennett to chief operating officer role

Jacksonville Port Authority (Jaxport) has promoted James Bennett to chief operating officer. He moves from his role as senior director of engineering and construction and will use that expertise to oversee projects including a major automotive and container expansion on Blount Island.

Hazel Southwell

Factory closures extended in China as drought continues

Carmaker Toyota and electronics supplier Foxconn are among companies that have been forced to shut down their operations in China’s Sichuan province because of a heatwave that has prompted a water and electricity supply crisis.

Hazel Southwell

Blueprints for the rebound at North America’s vehicle ports

Crisis management has become normalised for the automotive industry over two years of supply chain disruption but the North American vehicle-handling ports have withstood volatility and invested in a more sustainable recovery

Marcus Williams

Heavy rains hit Toyota production in Japan

Vehicle output at Toyota’s plants around the Aichi Prefecture in Japan has been suspended because of flood damage caused by heavy rains in the area. However, the carmaker said it will reroute the semiconductors destined for those plants to others in Japan affected by the ongoing shortage in supply.

Marcus Williams

Suppliers Partnership releases updated guidance for automotive packaging

The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) recently updated its guidance on sustainable packaging for automotive manufacturing operations.

Marcus Williams

Watch: Better visibility drives continuous improving in Toyota’s vehicle logistics

Manny Bansi, vice-president of Toyota Logistics Services, responsible for vehicle logistics in North America, explains why the carmaker is putting so much focus on ETA and how it is impacting operations in transport and vehicle processing.

Watch: How Toyota is delivering on demand and improving ETA

Predictable ETAs are a top priority at Toyota North America and other OEMs. The carmaker’s leaders in supply and demand, Kevin Austin, and vehicle logistics, Manny Bansi, detail Toyota’s ambitions, with insights from ETA experts at ICL and FreightVerify.

Toyota optimises finished vehicle deliveries with Inform

Toyota Logistics Services (TLS) has been working with logistics software expert Inform on a network optimisation project for finished vehicle deliveries in North America. Using the planning tool the carmaker has already identified a 3% cost reduction for its outbound logistics in the region, according to Inform.

Marcus Williams

Kevin Austin expands supply chain management role at Toyota

Kevin Austin has expanded his role at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) to support the carmaker’s initiative to increase its EV production.

Marcus Williams

Toyota forced to revise global production on Shanghai lockdown

Toyota has been forced to extend production restrictions at plants around the world because of the parts shortages caused by the Covid lockdowns in Shanghai

Marcus Williams

Floods hit auto production and supply in South Africa

South Africa’s automotive industry has been badly affected by heavy rains and disastrous flooding in the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) region. Operations are expected be disrupted to some extent for the rest of this year, with Toyota’s plant in Prospecton badly hit.

Jason Dunn

A gateway for growth in the Gulf

Carmakers looking for a quick and cost-effective port to move their vehicle volumes in and out of the southern US have a new option at the port of Mobile on the Alabama coast, featuring a fully equipped terminal run by AutoMobile International Terminal

Watch: Just-in-time for a new era – can supply chains become more resilient and still stay lean?

Toyota’s Leon van der Merwe makes it clear that lean and just-in-time principles are as relevant for the OEM today as ever. But hear why for aspects of the approach are changing both for Toyota, 3PL Ceva and data systems expert E2Open.

Watch: Finished vehicle logistics – carrying the weight of the recovery

Watch how Toyota Motor Europe’s head of vehicle logistics is taking new approaches to outbound, while digital and data expert RPM and ICL explore ways to overcome inventory and capacity challenges

Toyota’s tried and tested approach to disruption

Supply chain disruption has been in the headlines for a couple of years now. There seems to be a different problem on a daily basis and they seem to be come from all points of the compass. Brexit disruption, Covid lockdowns, parts and labour shortages, war or extreme weather events, as seen in the recent floods in South Africa, have come one after the other.

Marcus Williams

Testing TPS resilience when dealing with disruption at Toyota

In the face of ongoing supply chain disruption, the Toyota Production System (TPS) is proving itself a reliable tool for building resiliency into the carmaker’s logistics.

Automotive Logistics

Automotive logistics in Russia is in tatters

Already debilitated by the impact of Covid, the Russian automotive market was hoping for better times ahead, but the invasion of Ukraine and the consequent sanctions imposed on Russia have undermined production and sales, and hit the logistics providers hard

Automotive Logistics

China’s zero-Covid strategy hampers auto output in Shanghai

Vehicle output in China is being disrupted by the government’s introduction of a coronavirus lockdown in Shanghai, which is now in its second week and has forced automakers to cease operations.

Jason Dunn

No more rough estimates

Toyota has been working to improve transparency in the delivery of its vehicles and provide its dealers with clear and concise information, but that is not all Project ETA promises says Kevin Austin, vice-president of demand and supply management at the carmaker

Marcus Williams