Discussions at this year’s Finished Vehicle Logistics North America Live conference revealed an industry working hard to meet strong, resurgent demand for vehicles in the face of production disrupted by the semiconductor shortage. In fact, North American vehicle production was the worst affected by the shortage, according to industry analyst AutoForecast Solutions, and there is going to be a lot more vertical integration in the long term, with carmakers setting up direct partnerships with the semiconductor manufacturers. In the meantime, there is every need for OEMs and their outbound logistics providers to more closely collaborate and share supply chain data to improve the delivery of vehicles to dealerships and end customers.

The industry is also working hard to be more sustainable. Vehicle makers are trying to hit stringent emissions targets, not just in terms of the vehicles they are producing, but also in the transport used to move those vehicles between the plants and the dealers. While the road vehicle haulers battle for a greater weight allowance for equipment, carmakers are working with ports, road and rail transport providers to establish standards to measure emissions, as well as making adjustments to the outbound supply chain to find the most sustainable routes and methods of delivery. What is more, they are using the latest digital technology to do so, though that has put a stronger emphasis on the issue of security and governance of data. The goal for everyone is to improve the accuracy of the information being shared, make sure it is secure, and show how it can be used to cut carbon and costs at the same time.