Renault to export from Russia
Later this month Renault will begin exports of its Logan and Sandero models to Ukraine from its Avtoframos plant in Russia.
The plant, which is located south of Moscow, increased output last year by 70% to just more than 87,000 vehicles. Current output includes the Logan, Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Fluence, and Megane models.
The plant began assembly the Fluence and Megane at the beginning of 2011 from semi knocked-down (SKD) kits. By the end of the year it intends to start assembling the Duster light commercial vehicle as well.
Last year Renault introduced a number of logistics measures to support increased capacity at the Avtoframos plant, including a multimodal solution for parts supply from its parts plant in Pitesti, Romania and new tenders for LSPs to manage the supply of local parts as part of its plans to increase local sourcing in Russia by 75%.
The French carmaker is already exporting models to Kazakhstan, which it began in January 2010, and to Belarus, which it started last October.
Renault uses seven logistics providers for transport to the dealer network in Russia, which also includes the use of rail for long distance, but it would not confirm which provider will be taking vehicles to Ukraine.
Gefco opens office in Estonia
PSA Peugeot-Citroen’s logistics subsidiary is to set up a new office in Estonia in the fourth quarter of 2011 as it anticipates increased transit trade between Central Asia and Europe through the country. In March the company announced that turnover in Central and Eastern Europe was up by 38%, with two new divisions set up in Kazakhstan and Bulgaria.
The new Estonian presence will also help it expand its business in Finland, supported by existing offices in neighbouring Latvia and Lithuania.
DB Schenker renames Romania division
DB Schenker has renamed its division in Romania-Logistic Services Danubius SRL-as DB Schenker Rail Romania as part of a move to offer customers a continuous transport rail service based on its standing in the wider market. The move follows investment in locomotives and wagons in the country.
DB Schenker reports a strong presence on the domestic Romanian market, where it has been active through one of its own companies since 2000.
Around 45% of DB’s transport activities are already international, and the company has border agreements with rail operators in neighbouring countries.
