All articles by Chris Ludwig – Page 2
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FeatureSupply Chain Conference: Service parts logistics try to keep up with e-commerce
The service parts sector is among the first distribution channels in the automotive market to feel disruption from the digital economy, as consumers increasingly buy goods and services online.Indeed, within the wider aftermarket, including the large share of the market held by independent distributors, consumers already make significant use of ...
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FeatureLooking for the human-machine touch
Digital technology is fast changing the way vehicles are built, with labour, data and engineering management set for new levels of automation, according to experts speaking at the recent automotiveIT Forum Production and Logistics.But while automotive plants and their supply chains adapt new concepts and equipment, including for logistics and ...
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FeatureA new look (but it’s what’s inside that counts)
Whether you’re a regular or new visitor to Automotive Logistics, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to some changes and new features on our website that we hope you’ll enjoy. We think that they both improve our layout and will help you better access and choose from ...
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FeatureWhy supply chain digitisation can mean making the best of what you already have
There is nowhere to turn in the vehicle logistics sector without encountering ‘digital transformation’, whether related to autonomous and connected vehicles, or optimising data.The EU transport commissioner, Violeta Bulc, recently told members of the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), that only companies who improved digital connections, whether in collecting ...
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Reinventing itself to keep abreast of changing demand
Despite uncertainty surrounding the UK’s departure from the European Union, carmakers in the country have announced a number of investments in the past 12 months that should, in the medium term at least, keep the country’s vehicle production networks competitive and growing.According to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers ...
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FeatureIn-house competence propels Volvo and Continental’s logistics
The inbound supply chain in China continues to develop at a fast pace, and getting to grips with the complexity around supply locations, regulations and production shifts is a significant task. For some manufacturers, including Volvo Cars and tier one supplier Continental, increasing in-house management resources and tools have been ...
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FeatureChina conference: Brilliant strategy positions BMW JV for change
BMW’s joint venture in China with Brilliance Auto, BMW Brilliance, has said it does not expect to feel any impact from the ongoing changes to maximum car carrier dimensions in the country – even though it has seen a huge increase in vehicle production and sales volumes.That is because the ...
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FeatureIn these uncertain days, supply chain reaction times are critical
Given current political and economic uncertainties, there may be many twists and turns in the track ahead... making it all the more important that supply chains can plan and react with real efficiencyStrip the global outlook to pure numbers, and the story for the automotive industry is quite positive. China ...
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FeatureChanges at the top for Renault-Nissan Alliance supply chain
Frans Kroon (pictured) has been promoted to deputy alliance global director of strategy and planning for global alliance supply chain management at Renault Nissan, moving from his position as vice-president of Alliance Logistics Europe. Marc Dardanelli has succeeded Kroon in the logistics function.Kroon’s position is a renewed role across the ...
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FeatureMexico’s Giant Motors to build and export Chinese SUVs beyond Nafta
Giant Motors, a manufacturer of Chinese commercial vehicles in Mexico, is set to launch two new SUV models in a joint venture with China’s Anhui Jianghuai Automobile (JAC Motors) to serve Latin American markets. It will be the first Chinese-brand passenger vehicle built in Mexico for the local market and ...
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FeatureArticle 50 triggers worry over UK automotive supply chain
As the UK officially kicked off the two-year process of leaving the European Union today (March 29th), a number of trade bodies, manufacturers and analysts have again issued warnings about the risks that would face the British and European automotive supply chains, should the UK leave without securing full access ...
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FeatureAt 20 years old, ECG invests in a digital future
The Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG) has celebrated its 20th anniversary with an event this week at the Autoworld museum in Brussels, attended among others by European commissioner for transport, Violeta Bulc.Since March 1997, the association has represented the common interests of vehicle logistics companies at a European level ...
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FeatureTrump’s campaigning ignores supply chain might
The president’s relentless criticism of trade terms and regulation often ignores some of the automotive industry’s most important developments for the futureSince his election victory, many have wondered about the extent to which Donald Trump, the president, would resemble Donald Trump, the presidential candidate. For the automotive industry and its ...
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FeatureFVL conference 2017: Live poll results
Live polling conducted at the Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference revealed mixed sentiments on the economy, what technology to invest in and visibility in the sector ($236 billion is the correct answer)
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FeaturePriority Freight awarded for employing military personnel
UK-based logistics firm Priority Freight has been recognised by the country’s Ministery of Defence with a bronze award in the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) for its employment of ex-defence and military personnel.The ERS recognises commitment and support from UK employers for defence personnel.Priority Freight, which specialised in ...
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FeatureMexico conference: Nafta concerns slow supply chain investment
Carmakers, tier suppliers and logistics providers are becoming increasingly cautious about investment in Mexico, downgrading some plans or holding back on decisions amid the uncertainty of Mexico’s future trade relations with the United States and potential changes to the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta).Mexico has been one of the ...
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FeatureMexico conference: government urges ‘tranquillity’ in Nafta debate
The Mexican government has confirmed that it will seek to maintain the current advantages of the North America Free Trade Agreement (Nafta), including tariff-free trade of automotive parts and vehicles, in upcoming negotiations with the governments of the US and Canada. It will also seek to further reduce regulatory barriers ...
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FeatureVehicle logistics: Why the only certainty is uncertainty
Constantly shifting political, industrial and logistical currents will ensure change remains the only constant in vehicle logisticsFinished vehicle logistics, perhaps more than other supply chain disciplines, is focused on operations at hand and responding flexibly to changes rather than speculating about future trends. While 2017 could be a year of ...
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FeatureFor UK carmakers, ‘Global Britain’ may not be enough
Production of Nissan Juke and Qashqai at Nissan Sunderland PlantThe Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK automotive trade body, has welcomed the UK government’s ambitions to develop new free trade deals that could benefit the automotive industry, including with large markets like the US and China, ...
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FeatureRecord UK vehicle exports while Brexit weighs on investment and supply chain
While UK ports would suffer if OEMs are eventually forced to shift production to other territories, shipping lines will most likely move with the flowUK car production reached its highest level this century in 2016, while vehicle exports surpassed an all-time record for the second year in a row, ...