Watch: Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey findings explained
The Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey 2025 reveals how cost pressure, tariffs and disruption are reshaping sourcing, resilience and digital strategy.
Cost pressure has returned to the top of the agenda for automotive inbound logistics teams, driven by trade volatility, tariffs, geopolitical uncertainty and an unpredictable transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles.
In this video, recorded on site at the Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global conference, Automotive Logistics examines the key findings of the Automotive Inbound Logistics Survey, produced in partnership with DP World. The conversation brings together perspectives from DP World, including its global vice-president, vertical lead for automotive, and Automotive Logistics’ business analyst Daniel Harrison, who discuss how OEMs, suppliers and logistics service providers are responding to rising uncertainty.
What the survey reveals:
Cost pressure returns as the dominant concern
Cost pressure is once again the number one issue for automotive inbound logistics. While cost has always shaped sourcing and network design, respondents highlight that today’s environment is defined by compounding uncertainty. Tariffs, geopolitical shifts and fluctuating powertrain strategies make long-term planning difficult and expensive, pushing cost back to the top of the priority list.
A ‘wait and see’ approach to tariffs and trade disruption
Many companies are responding to tariff uncertainty by delaying major investment decisions. Instead of reshoring or nearshoring production at scale, logistics and supply chain teams are deploying temporary measures such as supplier diversification, production rebalancing between plants and short-term capacity adjustments. The survey suggests this approach is not sustainable in the long term, but reflects the difficulty of committing capital amid shifting trade policy.
Resilience planning moves beyond cost optimisation
Resilience has re-emerged as a top-three concern, marking a shift away from purely cost-driven logistics models. Automotive supply chains, already among the most complex in manufacturing, are being forced to balance efficiency with scenario planning. Respondents highlight the growing importance of flexibility, contingency planning and alternative routing strategies alongside traditional cost controls.
A positive long-term outlook despite near-term pressure
Despite short-term pessimism, the medium- to long-term outlook for inbound logistics is broadly positive. The survey points to expected growth in volumes, investment in new capacity and accelerating digitalisation. Inbound logistics is increasingly viewed as a strategic enabler, supporting flexibility, resilience and business continuity rather than simply managing cost.
