All articles by Victoria Johns
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FeatureA cloud with a silver lining
Renault’s collaboration with technology giant Google extends back to 2019, when the companies announced that the French carmaker had begun using Google data services to refine its manufacturing process. Roll forward a year and the global pandemic has disrupted supply chains and distribution channels across the automotive sector, accelerating the need to accurately forecast demand and optimise supply by integrating data from multiple sources and analysing it in real time.
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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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NewsDachser moves auto heavy-lift from Brazil to Mexico despite crisis
Dachser has moved 138 tons of automotive project cargo between Brazil and Mexico using road and shortsea routes in the midst of restrictions caused by. the coronavirus. The breakbulk consignment contained a compressor machine and 14 accessory items.
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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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NewsMexico rail blockade impacting Ford operations
A rail blockade in the Mexican border state of Sonora is affecting operations at Ford’s Hermosillo stamping and assembly plant, as well as hitting imports and exports to and from the United States, according to the carmaker. Members of the local Yaqui indigenous community, who are demanding th
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NewsINEOS in discussions with Daimler to produce Grenadier in Hambach
British start-up INEOS Automotive may be making its new 4x4 vehicle in France instead of South Wales after German OEM Daimler announced it wanted to sell its Hambach factory in France. Head of supply chain management at INEOS, Marko Weisshaar (pictured), spoke about the possibility of a French connection during last week’s Livestream Hour
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NewsLand of opportunity: INEOS Automotive
British company INEOS Automotive’s Grenadier is being developed as a resolute 4x4 from the ground up, but can the start-up’s lack of legacy and supply chain history cover new terrain and open up options for logistics?
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NewsAll-electric future for VW at Zwickau
Volkswagen has made its last vehicle with an internal combustion engine at the Zwickau assembly plant in Germany and is now dedicating the plant to the assembly of electric vehicles, beginning with the ID.3. There are similar plans ahead for its plant in Emden from 2022
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NewsFord facing shutdowns in US because of engine shortage
Ford is reported to be facing assemly shutdowns in the US this week because of engine supply problems out of Mexico caused by the coronavirus. Output at the carmaker’s engine plant in Chihuahua has been halved because of restrictions on production and supply caused by the virus, while its plants in the US are running at full production
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NewsPirelli gets green tick for carbon initiative
Italian tyre manufacturer Pirelli has received recognition from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for its commitment to reduce its CO2 emissions. The approval corroborates Pirelli’s goal of achieving group carbon neutrality by 2030, which is focused around its target of using 100% renewable electric energy by 2025 as announced in its recent industrial and sustainability plan.
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NewsThe future of Ford’s untouchable supply chain
Ford is digitalising key aspects of its global logistics and supply chain management, including the recent insourcing of its fourth party logistics (4PL) logistics management in Asia Pacific, Africa and South America…
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NewsSpain’s auto industry to get billion-euro boost from government
The Spanish government has announced a €3.75 billion ($4.2 billion) stimulus programme for the country’s automotive sector, designed to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus and boost the sale of low-emission vehicles.
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NewsEuropean vehicle sales could drop 35% this year, PwC
Vehicle sales and production in Europe are being badly hit by shutdowns caused by the coronavirus, with output down 70% in May and sales expected to be down around 35%, according to Christoph Stürmer, global lead analyst, PwC Autofacts. And while EV sales have maintained interest the overall impact on the market is minimal
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NewsBad news for VW and Audi as Puebla rules out restart
Ongoing health and safety concerns related to Covid-19 mean the planned restart for VW and Audi production in the Mexican state of Puebla have been delayed further, despite previous assurances they could restart under strict conditions on June 15
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PodcastListen: A new deal for the finished vehicle logistics industry
As vehicle sales and production continue to restart in North America following coronavirus-related shutdowns, dealerships are facing huge challenges in inventory management and customer service. Brion Stapp, dealer principal, Toyota, Colorado shares his insights on ‘no touch’ servicing, changing customer expectations and why the industry needs to take stock and evolve
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NewsAudi confirms it will restart operations in Puebla on June 15
German carmaker Audi will return to making the Q5 SUV in Puebla next week following the Mexican state’s move to open up manufacturing under strict health and safety protocols. It follows more than two months of shutdown because of disruptions to the supply chain caused by the coronavirus
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NewsHyundai Glovis back on track in US by next month despite rail concerns
Hyundai Kia’s logistics division, Hyundai Glovis, hopes for “some sort of level of normalcy” for the manufacture and distribution of vehicles in the US by July 4, despite railroads being currently under capacity, according to the group’s senior national manager of vehicle logistics, Darren Acker. Hyundai vehicles being ...
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NewsNo V-shaped recovery for automotive industry
Automotive analyst Daniel Harrison predicts the Covid-19 crisis will cause a global decline in vehicle sales this year of around 14m units, including both passenger and commercial vehicles, down 15.4% from last year…
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NewsVW gets the green light to reopen in Puebla on June 15
Olivia Salomón, economic secretary of the Mexican state of Puebla, has just announced that German carmaker Volkswagen can reopen its plant there from June 15. However, it can only use 30% of its workforce in staggered shifts…
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NewsHealth and safety portal opens door for Mexico automotive restart
There have been a series of mixed messages surrounding the restart of operations in Mexico over the past few weeks but carmakers and suppliers in Mexico can now return to production providing they register their safety protocols on a government portal certifying that they will follow the guidelines designed to halt the spread of Covid-19