The autumn edition of Automotive Logistics is out now, focusing on the use of technology to boost inbound supply chain efficiency in North America, including at tier one supplier ZF, and the adaptions OEMs are making for electric vehicle take up in their battery supply, such as at BMW. We also look at finished vehicle logistics in Mexico and developments at the US port of Brunswick, which are benefitting Nissan.
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It is easy to think that the drive to electrification has lost some of its momentum when you look at recent headlines. Ford announced toward online at an Automotive Logistics event the end of August it had changed its battery EV plans to focus on a commercial van and two pickups, and would no longer be planning three row pure electric SUVs, choosing instead the hybrid option. Ford is also realigning its battery supply chain to be more cost effective. GM has also delayed the restart of electric truck production at its Orion Township plant in Michigan to mid-2026 and questions remain over its plans for future battery cell plants other than two current joint venture facilities with LG Energy Solution in North America.
As can be seen on p20 of this autumn edition of Automotive Logistics, BMW has also had to revise plans for its battery supply chain, given that its battery material supplier Umicore has halted production on its cathode materials plant in Loyalist, Canada in the face of a “sharp slowdown in the growth of EV demand affecting the industry”.
However, recent research by Ultima Media’s business intelligence unit shows (on p14) that while there has undoubtedly been some monthly volatility and fluctuations, fundamentally, the data simply does not support the view that EV sales are in decline. There is instead a more gradual climb toward adoption and a measured approach to establishing a secure and localised supply chain. Looking at the leading 15 EV markets that account for over 90% of the overall EV market, EV sales in the first half of 2024 were 6.15m (21% of the market) and higher than they have ever been.
Despite the halt on Umicore’s cathode production, BMW is holding on to ambitious plans for battery EV production in North America. BMW chairman, Oliver Zipse stressed the importance of sourcing local solutions and partners, earlier this year: “Who has control over technological expertise and urgently needed raw materials?
That is what decides the competitiveness of companies and economic areas.”
Plans may have to be tweaked but more will become clear as Ulrich Wieland settles into his new role as lead of logistics and production control in Spartanburg for BMW.
What is clear is that carmakers embracing the electric future are having to manage a more complex supply chain and the balance between range-anxious consumer demand, regulatory tariffs on EVs and materials, economic uncertainty and global geopolitical disruption. There also continues to be capacity challenges across inbound and vehicle logistics and a greater need for transparency and reliability in the face of uneven production patterns.
Features include:
ZF technology is making inbound logistics more efficient and sustainable | read online ↗️
Nissan benefits from Brunswick’s logistics mega centre | read online ↗️
BMW remains focused on battery EV production despite Umicore suspension | read online ↗️
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