Spring Edition of the Automotive Logistics Magazine, 2025

In the latest issue of Automotive Logistics, we delve into the significant changes reshaping the global automotive industry as it enters 2025. This spring edition provides insights into key hub performance and adaptation strategies, offering a comprehensive overview of the industry's current landscape.

One of the critical trends driving the future of automotive logistics is nearshoring, which is emerging as a crucial response to trade disputes and supply chain vulnerabilities. The article features an exclusive interview with Oliver Haase and Raul Gamboa about BMW's resilience plan for its San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico. The plant serves as a case study for nearshoring and resilience, with a focus on reducing carbon footprints, strengthening supply chains, and fostering community development.

The San Luis Potosí plant integrates local suppliers and utilizes digital tools like predictive analytics, showcasing a corporate management approach that enhances nearshoring and resilience. This approach is becoming increasingly important as regions like North America and Europe become focal points for localized production.

Political dynamics and rising energy costs in Eastern Europe are posing challenges for future automotive investments in the region. However, regions like Mexico are offering promising opportunities for OEMs seeking to optimize their supply chains and enhance resilience.

Another trend highlighted in the article is the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and the subsequent job cuts and plant closures due to competitive pricing. Battery localisation is gaining momentum as a pathway to reduce logistics costs and enhance sustainability. This shift towards localisation is also evident in the growing focus on automation and digitalization in the industry.

Dieter Braun, Audi's head of supply chain, discusses the company's vision for global excellence through sustainability, automation, and localisation. The article also presents an exploration of humanoid robotics, highlighting how advanced AI is transforming automotive manufacturing, with BMW leading the charge in human-machine collaboration.

Overcapacity in Europe and the rise of Chinese OEMs are redefining supply chain flows. Europe has become a net importer of vehicles, while China has emerged as the world's largest vehicle exporter. The global automotive industry is facing cost pressures and margin compression, leading OEMs to rethink their strategies, focusing on digitalization, automation, and efficiency.

The article concludes with an in-depth look at emissions tracking, offering a comprehensive understanding of the automotive supply chain's environmental impact. The European finished vehicle ports review, automotive supply chain emissions, and the interview with Dieter Braun are all available to read online.

In summary, the latest issue of Automotive Logistics provides a comprehensive overview of the transformative trends shaping the future of the automotive industry. From nearshoring and resilience strategies to the transition to EVs and the rise of localisation, this edition offers valuable insights for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike.