This Spring Issue offers an in-depth analysis of the trends and innovations shaping the industry, with a focus on supply chain strategies and resilience, emissions control, packaging, European port review, digitalisation, EV localisation, European market overview, and more.
The global automotive industry is entering 2025 amid a wave of transformative changes, presenting both challenges and opportunities. From geopolitical tensions to economic restructuring and the ongoing transition to sustainability, the sector is at a crossroads. This spring, Automotive Logistics delves into the trends, strategies and innovations shaping this evolution. At the forefront are three critical trends driving the future of automotive logistics.
First, the industry is undergoing a fundamental restructuring. Overcapacity in Europe, the rise of Chinese OEMs and shifting global trade routes are redefining supply chain flows and challenging established logistics models. Europe, once a major exporter, has become a net importer of vehicles, while China has emerged as the world’s largest vehicle exporter, reshaping trade dynamics and creating new challenges and opportunities for logistics providers.
Second, cost pressures and margin compression are forcing OEMs to rethink their strategies. A competitive pricing environment, coupled with the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), has led to job cuts, plant closures and an intensified focus on efficiency. For the automotive industry, this means navigating heightened scrutiny, innovating through digitalisation and automation, and balancing cost-cutting measures with strategic investments to maintain competitiveness.
Finally, nearshoring is emerging as a critical response to trade disputes and supply chain vulnerabilities. Regions like North America and Europe are becoming focal points for localised production, as tariffs and regulatory pressures make long-distance logistics less viable. Battery localisation, in particular, is gaining momentum as the push for EV adoption accelerates, offering a pathway to reduce logistics costs and enhance sustainability.
This spring issue of Automotive Logistics explores these trends in detail, starting with an in-depth look at emissions tracking. With sustainability a top priority, new technologies and evolving regulations are reshaping how companies monitor, reduce and report emissions across road, rail, air and maritime logistics.
In Europe, the annual review of finished vehicle-handling ports provides insights into the performance of key hubs and their strategies for adapting to changing trade flows and increasing competition. Meanwhile, a special feature on Eastern Europe highlights the region’s evolving automotive landscape, where political dynamics and rising energy costs are challenging the future of automotive investments.
Turning to Mexico, BMW’s San Luis Potosí plant serves as a case study in nearshoring and resilience. By integrating local suppliers and leveraging digital tools like predictive analytics, the plant exemplifies how localisation can reduce carbon footprints, strengthen supply chains and foster community development.
The issue also includes exclusive interviews with industry leaders. Dieter Braun, Audi’s head of supply chain, shares the company’s vision for global excellence through sustainability, automation and localisation. Additionally, an exploration of humanoid robotics highlights how advanced AI is transforming automotive manufacturing, with BMW leading the charge in human-machine collaboration.
Features include:
European finished vehicle ports review | read online ↗️
Automotive supply chain emissions: Tracking and reducing impact | read online ↗️
Audi’s head of supply chain Dieter Braun on driving transformation and value creation | read online ↗️
Oliver Haase and Raul Gamboa discuss BMW’s resilience plan for its San Luis Potosí plant | read online ↗️
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