All features articles – Page 11
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NewsThe logistics driving Renault Formula 1
The world’s F1 series evokes an image of speed, precision and prestigious podium finishes. However, behind the scenes is a labyrinthine logistics effort. Victoria Johns finds out more from the team keeping Renault on track
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NewsIncreased demand post-Covid threatens driver shortage in North America
The shortage of freight drivers in the US has been exacerbated by industrial shutdowns and curbs on movement caused by the coronavirus, a problem made more complicated by limited working hours and a rise in post-furlough absenteeism
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FeatureWhy there needs to be a holistic approach to EV battery supply
EVs are often portrayed as a mainstay of the fight against climate change, but when the supply of battery materials and processing of used batteries are taken into consideration, they are much less green than they look. Automotive Logistics investigates the idea of a holistic approach to EV batteries, as ...
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NewsProtocols for protecting the restart of production in Mexico
There are logistics lessons to be learned from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the Mexican automotive sector and Penske Logistics has quickly developed protocols for protecting the supply base and its employees…
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NewsVolatile demand testing distribution of automotive service parts
Discussions at last week’s Livestream Hour on the aftermarket revealed that unstable demand for service parts has been testing those responsible for their manufacture and distribution and a full recovery of the aftermarket parts sector is not expected this year. However, leading service parts companies have been maintaining services for customers
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FeatureHow ‘self-healing’ cars could change the aftermarket
As OEMs adopt over-the-air vehicle diagnostics and maintenance, what effect will this developing technology will have on inventory and the surrounding logistics network?
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FeatureThe supply and demand of power
The UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) was set up in 2013 to support research and development (R&D) projects into low-carbon emission powertrain technologies. It is headquartered at the University of Warwick in Coventry and sits at the heart of a £1 billion programme that is funded 50% by industry and 50% by the UK government. Jon Beasley, director of technology and projects at the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre talks to Daniel Harrison about the technology pushing the sector forward
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FeaturePowerful alternatives for the automotive sector
Battery manufacturer AMTE Power acquired AGM Batteries in 2013 to advance its development and provision of battery cell technology for specialist applications in the automotive sector looking for premium performance. Daniel Harrison talks to the company’s director Kevin Brundish
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VideoWatch: Kia maintains investment, launches and stability in Europe
Kia Motors Europe chief operating officer, Emilio Herrera, and director of marketing, Carlos Lahoz, outline how the Korean brand is learning from supply chain and production disruptions, digitalising sales channels and maintaining investment in electrification to chart a route towards recovery in Europe.
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FeatureTrucking North America: in it for the long haul
With a changing model mix and the perennial problem of driver shortages, the US car hauling industry is battling challenges on multiple fronts. But companies are now investing in technology and capacity to future-proof their fleets
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InterviewQ&A: Mike Riggs, CEO, Jack Cooper
US finished vehicle haulier Jack Cooper reorganised its business under Chapter 11 proceedings last year and exited the court process on November 1. In an exclusive interview Victoria Johns talks to CEO Mike Riggs about the company’s ‘picture-perfect bankruptcy’ and why Jack is definitely back
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FeatureStronger connections for a competitive future
Capacity constraints have tested the resourcefulness of Haropa ports, which oversees activity at the sea port of Le Havre, and the inland ports of Rouen and Paris, but the company is responding with investment, redevelopment and the application of smart technology
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FeatureReaching for the stars: how Galileo’s satellites could help automotive logistics
Since launching its first test navigation satellite in 2005, the European Space Agency (ESA) has steadily built up the Galileo global positioning network and today operates 22 satellites. With four further launches due in 2020, the Galileo network is set to become the first fully operational high-accuracy global navigation satellite system (GNSS) – heralding a new era of precision navigation and, for the automotive industry, bringing opportunities for improved vehicle logistics.
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FeatureRussia: still supporting exports
As its domestic market stagnates, Russia is continuing to seek growth abroad and is subsidising the export of vehicles and parts – at a cost of more than $60m a year. The government is seemingly succeeding in its ambition of turning the country into a fully fledged automotive exporter, as its official target is to establish exports of at least 240,000 vehicles per year by 2025 – ideally up to 400,000 – and recent growth in this segment suggests that these figures could be within reach.
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FeatureExclusive report: Inside BMW’s new Mexican plant at San Luis Potosí
Automotive Logistics hears from Karl Friedrich Koch, vice-president, production control, BMW Mexico, about the vehicle-maker’s new plant in the country – which has a logistics operation that leads the way in terms of Internet of Things tracking technology
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FeatureUS rail: tracking in the right direction
Rail transportation offers an efficient, reliable option for the distribution of finished vehicles, and in an age of increased concern over sustainability, it is also relatively environmentally friendly. This helps to explain why it remains a popular mode for moving vehicles, despite drawbacks such as limited flexibility.
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FeatureWater woes: how European river transport projects have ground to a halt
In Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Poland the authorities are embarking on big projects aimed at boosting cargo flows along key rivers. Potentially, this could provide more opportunities for the European finished vehicle logistics industry, but for a number of reasons it is not clear that river transport in the region will become more popular.
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FeatureAl-air: a better battery for EVs?
A long-range, lightweight, cost-efficient, recyclable and ethically sourced battery is, arguably, the Holy Grail of the EV market. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are currently the main focus of multibillion-dollar investments by OEMs and tier suppliers, but there are other contenders that could offer a breakthrough with alternative technology. One of them is the aluminium-air (Al-air) battery.
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FeatureFighting back against fake parts
Counterfeit parts in the automotive industry will soon be worth more than the annual gross domestic product of Canada, Brazil or Italy. According to World Trademark Review, the estimated global economic cost of counterfeiting in the automotive industry could reach $2.3 trillion by 2022. In Europe, it is estimated that €2.2 billion ($2.4 billion) is lost annually to counterfeit tyre sales alone, while counterfeit battery sales effectively steal €180m ($198m) from OEMs. Furthermore, the rise of e-commerce is making it ever easier for consumers to knowingly or unknowingly access counterfeit, possibly dangerous vehicle parts.
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FeatureBMW’s balance of power
BMW already has a 6% share of the market for new registered battery electric and photovoltaic electric vehicles but to meet the increase in demand in the coming years it has plans to have 1m fully electric and hybrid vehicles on the road by the end of 2021. In preparation it is moving battery production closer to its main areas of global assembly