Our 2025 agenda is now live


Get ready to re-imagine logistics | Creating a faster, agile, more competitive vehicle supply chain

PRE-CONFERENCE

DAY 1

DAY 2

PRE-CONFERENCE: TUESDAY APRIL 8TH

Finished Vehicle Logistics North America Golf Day, sponsored by KHS


The 15th Finished Vehicle Logistics North America conference swings into action at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, CA. Whether you’re there to compete for prizes, spend time with colleagues, make new business connections or simply experience one of Southern California’s most scenic courses, the FVLNA golf day promises a perfect blend of friendly competition, networking and fun.

Sponsored by:

KHS 300x150

17:30 - 21:00 PDT

Welcome Drinks Reception


Feel the buzz as the sector’s leaders and experts come together once again on the eve of the conference. The welcome cocktail provides a great opportunity to make new connections, catch up with old friends and start discussing the key trends, issues and opportunities shaping vehicle logistics.

Dress code – business casual

Sponsored by:

ACS

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY APRIL 9TH

08:00 PDT

Conference open for registration, networking and refreshments



09:00 PDT

Main Stage: Welcome to Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2025



09:10 PDT

Main Stage: Keynote & panel | Accelerate, Adapt and Align: Building a faster, dynamic and efficient vehicle supply chain


Discover how North America’s carmakers, like Volkswagen Group, and major logistics providers are re-imagining the finished vehicle supply chain to keep pace with industry transformation and developing faster, flexible and more competitive networks, equipment and tools that support the industry’s need to adapt to constant change and uncertainty, reduce costs and maximise efficiency.

Speakers

Anu Goel
Anu Goel, Executive Vice-President Group Service and After Sales, Volkswagen Group of America

John
John Perkovich, President, RPM

DP World
Christoph Seitz, Global Vice President, Finished Vehicles, DP World

The North American finished vehicle supply chain must be ready for significant change amidst rising uncertainty, ready to adapt capacity, equipment, transport and network plans in line with customer demand and regulations, whilst maintaining the highest end-to-end supply chain efficiency, delivery performance and quality as possible. Join this must-attend opening session of Finished Vehicle Logistics North America to hear from leading carmakers and logistics providers on how the region’s vehicle supply chain can enable the industry’s transformation and support carmakers’ goal to offer customers greater choice through the most flexible, transparent and competitive vehicle distribution.
During this session, hear from Volkswagen Group of America’s vehicle and service parts logistics leader, Anu Goel in special keynote presentation, sharing valuable lessons from the carmaker’s recent logistics transformation and revealing how these changes are generating cost savings, enhancing network control, and adapting to technological advancements and market demands across the US, Canada and Mexico.
Get ready to re-imagine vehicle logistics and meet rising complexity and uncertainty head on.


10.00 PDT

Networking, meetings & exhibition


Grab a bite to eat and take a walk around the exhibition hall to make new connections or future business partners and to catch up with colleagues and friends.


10:45 PDT

Main Stage: Pedal to metal: Driving autohauler excellence


Hear how OEMs, carriers and roadfreight specialists are shifting gears to enhance autohauler efficiency, from tackling driver shortages and optimizing load factors for heavier vehicles, to boosting visibility and improving last mile logistics and dealer drop offs to keep the metal moving in an increasingly demanding and freight landscape.

Speakers

Royce Neubauer
Royce Neubauer, Founder & CEO, Auto Hauler Exchange

Anton
Anton Balta, Chief Logistics Officer, CRC Transport

In a landscape marked by evolving demand and vehicle specifications, autohauler operators and carriers must rethink strategies for efficiency and staying competitive. This session explores overcoming driver shortages, optimising load factors and load sharing to create a leaner, more effective road freight network. Leaders from carmakers and logistics providers will uncover best practices for ETA accuracy, seamless dealer handoffs, visibility enhancements, and investments in equipment and lower-emission technology to meet network and sustainability requirements amid shifting vehicle sizes and weights.

10:45 PDT

Breakout: Workshop | Looking beyond the hype – Is AI the next game-changer for vehicle logistics?


Join this dynamic, co-creative session, led by Volkswagen Group of America’s vehicle logistics team, to explore AI’s transformative potential and practical applications across the finished vehicle supply chain.

Workshop leaders

Paul Virgin Round
Paul Virgin, Port Manager, Volkswagen Group of America

Elliot Hughes Round
Elliot Hughes, Port Manager, Volkswagen Group of America

Artificial intelligence is set to revolutionise the way we live and work, and has transformative potential for automotive logistics and supply chains, but what does it really mean for finished vehicle logistics? In this interactive workshop, join fellow vehicle logistics leaders and specialists to cut through the buzzwords and dive into the real-world opportunities AI presents for optimizing vehicle logistics operations. From predictive demand forecasting and route optimization to real-time visibility and automated claims processing, brainstorm opportunities, share real-world applications and generate new ideas for how AI can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, better predict and mitigate disruptions and raise the performance of the finished vehicle logistics network.
Join this session to look beyond the hype and discover AI’s practical impacts and potential for vehicle logistics.


11:45 PDT

Networking & refreshments


Grab a bite to eat and take a walk around the exhibition hall to make new connections or future business partners and to catch up with colleagues and friends.


12:00 PDT

Main Stage: Digital Strategies for a streamlined, competitive and flexible end-to-end vehicle supply chain


Discover how advanced digital strategies—from AI-powered forecasting to real-time tracking—are transforming vehicle logistics, enabling OEMs and logistics partners to boost flexibility, control costs, and achieve unprecedented transparency and efficiency front plant to dealer

Speakers

Reyaz Mohamed
Reyaz Mohamed, CVP, Product Management, Blue Yonder

Adrian Jennings
Adrian Jennings, Chief Product Officer, Cognosos

In a dynamic market, flexible vehicle allocation and real-time visibility are critical for a competitive vehicle supply chain. Discover how OEMs, carriers, and logistics providers are leveraging digital strategies, including telematics, GPS tracking, AI, and data analytics, to create more adaptable and accurate networks. Learn how advanced software is improving capacity forecasting, optimizing rerouting in transit, and increasing transparency and capacity management across vehicle compounds and handoff points. Join this session and hear from automotive logistics and IT leaders to understand how embracing digitalisation can help control costs and enhance responsiveness and flexibility in the end-to-end vehicle supply chain.

Breakout: Panel & workshop | From concept to reality: Increasing multimodal and flexibility for vehicle logistics


Discover how OEMs, including General Motors and logistics providers experts are designing and operating vehicle logistics networks that can flex to maximize capacity, reduce dwell and drive competitiveness even as industry demands change.

Speakers

Tim Francis Round
Tim Francis, Manager, Outbound Vehicle Logistics Operations, General Motors

Sarah Hathaway Round
Sarah Hathaway, Finished Vehicle Network Engineering, Strategy & Planning Manager, General Motors

Maximizing capacity and flexibility in vehicle logistics has become more critical than ever, as automotive supply chains navigate fluctuations in demand, evolving vehicle specifications, and shifting transport constraints. OEMs and logistics providers must rethink network design to maximize available capacity, minimize dwell times, and maintain resilience in periods of uncertainty. Achieving this balance requires aligning short-term operational needs with long-term investments and strategies, and future vehicle production plans while ensuring seamless coordination across multimodal transport options.

This session will explore how companies are designing and operating logistics networks that can flex with changing parameters, from shifting production volumes to new vehicle specifications such as dimensions, weight and ground clearance. Experts from GM and vehicle logistics providers will discuss how strategic planning, multimodal collaboration, and dedicated capacity and storage solutions are helping to optimize scheduling, increase efficiency, and create networks that are fit for both current and future demands.

Audience participants will engage in an interactive session to examine key challenges in multimodal logistics, explore strategies for increasing network flexibility, identify actionable solutions for balancing short-term operational constraints with long-term equipment and infrastructure planning, and how teams can improve network planning and design for future vehicles that will come with completely new specifications, specialised equipment and handling requirements.


12:45 PDT

Lunch, networking & exhibitions



Sponsored by:
Freightverify


14:00 PDT

Main Stage: Meeting complexity head-on: Engineering a flexible vehicle logistics network


Discover how leading OEMs and logistics specialists are leveraging advanced network engineering to overcome disruptions, optimise planning, and adapt to shifting demands and regulations, ensuring cost-efficient, compliant, and future-ready supply chains.

Speakers

Todd Myers
Todd Myers, Director, Finished Vehicle Logistics, North America, Nissan Group of North America

Uncertainty reigns supreme, as supply chain disruptions, rising quality holds, changing consumer preference and the industry’s trajectory towards electrification and decarbonised supply chains create new complexity. These pressures are compounded by evolving trade tariffs, incentive programs, and increasingly diverse vehicle portfolios. For carmakers, this translates into heightened exposure to inefficiencies, rising costs, and regulatory hurdles.

This session will explore how advanced network engineering is becoming a critical tool for manufacturers to navigate this complexity. Hear from logistics leaders and network planning specialists to learn how optimising volume planning, scheduling, and routing can provide tighter cost control, improved compliance, and enhanced responsiveness to market demands. Industry experts will share the network engineering tools, designs and strategies for more accurate and flexible network management, addressing the growing challenges of vehicle production and distribution, while ensuring dynamic and resilient networks fit for the future.

Breakout: Panel & workshop | Driving up quality, reducing damage rates and costs


In this fast-paced interactive session, collaborate with industry leaders, including General Motors to develop best practises on leveraging data, technology, and process innovation across each stage of delivery to prevent damage, reduce risk and streamline claims processing.

Speakers

Brian Watanabe
Brian Watanabe, Logistics Manager, Supplemental Lift Operations & Quality Claims, General Motors

Melissa Tremp
Melissa Tremp, Quality & Claims Supervisor, General Motors

As the automotive industry gears up for new model launches, including electric and software-defined vehicles, it is bringing new complexities in handling, securement, storage and transport. Safe, efficient and damage-free vehicle logistics demands a fresh approach – one that integrates new technologies and fosters stronger collaboration across the supply chain.

This interactive panel and workshop will bring together industry leaders and quality management specialists, including General Motors, to debate and develop best practices for handling, storing and shipping the next generation of vehicles. It will include discussion on connecting vehicle inspection data at each stage from plant through VDCs through dealers. It will also explore how manufacturers and logistics providers can leverage data analytics, advanced inspection tools, and process improvements to enhance claims and insurance processes, identify repeatable damage patterns, streamline repair and claims processes.

Join this session to explore:

  • New challenges, such as weight distribution, clearance levels, and securement methods and best-practises for shipping EVs
  • How to improve transparency of major supply chain milestones and inspection points, capture and integrate multiple data sources for a consistent, accurate and measurable view of quality levels from plant to dealer
  • Methodology for streamlining repair and rework processes to speed up vehicle-to-market flows
  • Ways to identify and mitigate repeatable damage patterns and predict high-risk hot-spots through data-mining and new tech tools.


  • 15:00 PDT

    Networking & refreshments


    Grab a bite to eat and take a walk around the exhibition hall to make new connections or future business partners and to catch up with colleagues and friends.


    15:45 PDT

    Main stage: Keeping vehicle logistics on track: Maximizing rail freight for faster, leaner deliveries


    Join rail freight experts to learn how OEMs and rail providers are driving faster, greener, and more flexible deliveries through precision scheduling, cross-border connections, and next-generation railcar technology, ensuring better availability, visibility, and delivery accuracy across the North American supply chain.

    Speakers

    Melissa Connolly
    Melissa Connolly, Assistant Vice President, Government Affairs, Association of American Railroads

    As rail freight becomes increasingly crucial to vehicle logistics, OEMs and their partners must adapt to new challenges and opportunities. Explore how the re-introduction of precision scheduled railroading, new partnerships and rail connections from Canada to Mexico, and investment railcar equipment and technology are reshaping the network. With the automotive industry requiring greener, leaner and more flexible logistics solutions, learn how class 1 railroad providers and rail equipment specialists are working with carmakers to improve railcar availability, fulfilment rates, delivery times and enhance visibility and interoperability with other transport modes for greater control, ETA accuracy and efficiency.

    Breakout: Hackathon Connecting the dots – achieving end-to-end supply chain visibility


    Join this dynamic and co-creative hackathon, and utilise the industry’s collective experience and expertise to address key challenges, generate solutions and identify practical steps to enhance visibility across the vehicle supply chain.

    Speakers

    Christine Krathwohl
    Christine Krathwohl, SVP FreightVerify/President Distribution, FreightVerify

    In this fast-paced interactive session, teams will explore the major dark spots within the network, identify crucial gaps to illuminate, generate solutions to connect the vehicle supply chain from factory to dealer, and develop best practices for data collection, sharing and utilisation amongst carmakers, dealers, carriers and service providers.


    16:30 PDT

    Main Stage: North American vehicle sales and production outlook


    Get the inside track on the latest sales and production outlook for North America, along with valuable insight and expert analysis on new and used vehicle sales prices, inventory levels, product ICE and EV volumes, online sales and economic and political trends that are transforming the automotive industry’s finished vehicle logistics needs


    Speakers

    Patrick Manzi
    Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist, National Automobile Dealers Association

    17:15-21:00 PDT

    Finished Vehicle Logistics North America Gala Reception


    Continue your conversations with a refreshing drink and delicious food as the Californian sun sets on the opening day of the conference.


    Dress code - Business Casual


    DAY 2: THURSDAY APRIL 10TH

    08:00 PDT

    Conference open for registration, networking & refreshments


    Re-group and re-fuel for day two with some early morning refreshments, and kick start the conversation with new-found colleagues and connections.


    09:00 PDT

    Main Stage: In pursuit of perfection - stepping up quality standards


    As quality challenges rise, explore how OEMs and carriers are elevating standards through stronger partnerships, data-driven damage prevention, and faster reaction times, ensuring seamless deliveries, enhanced customer satisfaction, and brand protection across the vehicle distribution network

    Speakers

    Amy Paulsen
    Amy Paulsen, Director, Finished Vehicle Logistics, General Motors

    Gary Davis
    Gary Davis, Vice President Business Development, Nationwide Auto Services

    Gary Davis
    Yanni Arvis, CEO North America, DRS Group

    Yannic Hansen
    Yannic Hansen, Delivery Manager, INFORM North America

    Vehicle quality management and damage prevention is crucial not only to keep deliveries on time and customer satisfaction high, but also to prevent loss of finances and long-term damage to the brand. Quality holds and damage rates are on the rise, as manufacturers face new challenges from integrating new partners, routes and transport modes into the network, to handling electric vehicles and incorporating increasingly complex software updates, OEMs and their partners are intensifying efforts to enhance performance across the vehicle distribution network. Understand how leading carmakers and carriers are improving communications, trust and transparency, driving best practices and using data analytics to predict, prevent and address quality issues and speed up reaction and repair times.


    09:45 PDT

    Main Stage: Charting new waters: Investing in greener, leaner and smarter port and ocean logistics


    As OEMs and shipping lines continue to face capacity challenges as trade flows evolve, and as the drive for sustainability and efficiency intensifies, join industry leaders to explore how ports and ocean logistic networks are being re-imagined to support leaner, faster, and smarter vehicle movements across global waters.

    Ocean shipping and port handling of finished vehicles has seen major change in North America, as manufacturers and shipping lines adapt to changing trade flows, network bottlenecks and growing pressure on emissions and costs. But effective, sustainable and competitive shipping play a pivotal role in enabling trade, reducing dwell times, increasing throughput, and enhancing visibility. This session explores investment in sustainable pure-car-and-truck vessels (PCTCs), developing port capacity and infrastructure, including for EV handling, alternative transport methods like cars in containers, and the opportunity for new facilities and services in North American vehicle shipping. Leaders from carmakers, port operators, and carriers will discuss strategies for integrating new vessel capacity, streamlining deep sea and short sea operations, and driving greener, smarter finished vehicle logistics across global waters.


    10:30 PDT

    Networking, meetings and exhibition


    11:15 PDT

    Main Stage: EV logistics: what vehicle logistics needs to charge ahead


    Join experts from leading OEMs and providers on the charging infrastructure, equipment and flexible solutions that will ensure the seamless transport and delivery of electric vehicles across North America.



    Speakers

    Thomas
    Thomas Shannon, Finished Vehicle Operations Manager, Ports & Logistics EV, General Motors

    Thomas
    Tony Stinsa, Director, Inbound and Finished Vehicle Logistics, International

    The complex transition to electric vehicles is bringing new requirements to vehicle logistics processes across plant, yards and transport modes. That includes a need for the industry to work together to establish sufficient charging solutions, redesign distribution with flexible fulfilment centres and to adapt transport equipment and processes to handle EVs efficiently and safely.

    In this session, explore how vehicle manufacturers are working with partners and stakeholders to better serve dealers and customers at every step in the distribution chain, including equipment, safety and standards for storing and transporting heavier, low-clearance battery-powered vehicles across transport modes.

    Understand more about the charging infrastructure and requirements for OEMs across plants, ports, distribution hubs and rail yards, and where critical gaps remain across North America.

    Experts from vehicle manufacturers and service providers will discuss different charging requirements and implementation challenges for installing the right level of standard and fast-charging systems, along with more flexible, mobile-charging solutions to help ensure vehicles maintain the required level of charge for all modes of transport, different weather conditions, software updates and, ultimately, for seamless customer delivery.

    Join this discussion for insights on:

  • Transport, storage and handling requirements for electric vehicles
  • Charging infrastructure requirements and gaps for vehicle logistics, from plant to VDCs to rail yards
  • Flexible solutions to ensure adequate charge up to customer handover
  • Innovations in vehicle logistics network design for EVs

  • 12:00 PDT

    Main Stage: Spotlight on the border – streamlining vehicle flows from Mexico


    Uncover how international vehicle flows in and out of Mexico are evolving, as logistics leaders and cross-border experts discuss shifting capacity and infrastructure needs and reveal strategies in multimodal transport and new partnerships to ease congestion and streamline distribution across North America

    Mexico’s vehicle production and distribution landscape is evolving fast, with new players increasing vehicle imports and some carmakers with existing footprints shifting production from the US to Mexico plants, adding to the strain on the region’s vehicle logistics network and increasing demand for cross-border trucking, rail and short-sea services between Mexico, the US and Canada. Our panel of regional logistics leaders, carriers and international and cross-border logistics experts will explore how strategic partnerships, multi-modal transport, and cross-border compounds are mitigating rail and port congestion, enhancing flexibility, and ensuring smoother distribution to U.S. and Canadian dealerships. Gain insights into the latest efforts to optimize capacity, improve operational consistency, and manage the complexities of northbound vehicle flows in and from Mexico.


    12:45 PDT

    Lunch, networking & exhibitions

    Sponsored by:
    Freightverify


    13:45 PDT

    Main Stage: Vehicle logistics re-imagined: The differentiator in a hyper-competitive and volatile market


    Explore how forward-thinking innovators and leaders are re-imagining vehicle logistics, from equipment to partnerships, technology to network design, to accelerate the industry’s transformation and deliver carmakers a new competitive edge


    Over the past years, vehicle logistics has proved it’s resiliency, overcoming extreme shortages in capacity, managing swings in vehicle inventory and flexibly adapting transport modes. Now, North American vehicle logistics and distribution must be ready to disrupt and re-invent processes, equipment, technology and strategies to get ahead of wide-scale transformation and keep pace with shifting customer demand and regulations. Now is the time for carmakers and vehicle logistics providers to challenge one another, break new boundaries and drive innovation, and create a vehicle supply chain that is ready for change and delivers a competitive advantage. Don’t miss this final session to hear from the industry’s key leaders, disruptors and innovators, as they challenge the status quo and re-imagine finished vehicle logistics.


    14.30 PDT

    End of day two and conference close