The chip shortage has been going on long enough to generate some survey data, and there are some positive things to be found there, but overall the picture is bleak. The general trend seems to be that the impact will be massive and it will last at least through most of 2021, but there are […]
On the Transmission show this week, we speak with Dan Hearsch, managing director at AlixPartners, about the difference between a shortage and a crisis. In the auto supply chain world, that distinction means a lot as automakers continue to scramble to source the semiconductor chips they need to keep building cars. Hearsch told us that […]
The semiconductor chip shortage continues to be the dominant news item in the automotive supply chain world. Not that anyone is surprised by this anymore. The NTEA, the association for the work truck industry, said in its May 2021 edition of NTEA News that it expects the semiconductor chip issue to cause some sort of […]
The evolving automotive supply chain — and it is evolving, perhaps more than casual observers are aware — is forcing companies to rethink best practices when it comes to getting cars out of the factory and into customer hands. Some are focusing on making their supply chains more independent while others are trying to find […]
Next week on the Transmission podcast and FreightWavesTV show, I’ll be speaking with Dionis Teshler, the CTO and co-founder of GuardKnox. There are two things we recommend doing in preparation for that discussion. First, finish reading this email, in which we will take a look at the company blog post Teshler recently wrote about a […]
When it comes to making the switch to an electric vehicle, public recharging can be a hurdle for drivers. General Motors made the hurdle a bit lower this week, announcing a new connected EV charging station program called Ultium Charge 360. Ultium Charge 360 represents a “holistic charging experience” for GM EV drivers. To make […]
The fallout from the semiconductor chip shortage continues, and since it’s affecting the production of vehicles across the globe, it should be no surprise that automakers will be making fewer electric vehicles in the coming months, just as they’re making fewer internal combustion engine vehicles. Exactly how many fewer vehicles the industry will build this […]
Anyone who’s been tracking electric vehicle sales for the past decade, like yours truly, knows that progress has been slow but steady. It looks like 2021 might be a year of more dramatic change, which is a great bit of news to hear as we honor the 52nd Earth Day today. First celebrated in 1970, […]
Electric vehicles are being manufactured around the globe, but automakers are making moves that will mean production is a bit more localized in the future. GM’s big battery plant announcement in Tennessee follows one from Volkswagen a few weeks ago about European plants. It’s not that everything used in tomorrow’s EVs will be locally sourced, […]
It’s a good day to breathe a bit easier. The number of all-electric trucks headed out to make local deliveries is growing. Whether you’re in Southern California or a major Canadian city, all-electric trucks will be coming your way by the end of 2022, with some going into service by this fall. Volvo announces largest-ever […]
We are learning a bit more about Monday’s meeting between the Biden administration and numerous companies, specifically the list of attendees. At least two large automakers — Ford and GM — will be involved, and Alphabet, AT&T and Samsung will join Intel on the list of tech companies represented. We also know that the virtual […]
You know that your corner of the automotive industry isn’t exactly niche anymore when mainstream media outlets start encroaching on the topic.
There continue to be concerns about when these new orders will be prepared, as many truck manufacturers continue to deal with semiconductor shortages.
Tier 1 automotive supplier avoids line-down debacle via AIT Worldwide Logistics’ speedy transborder solution
There are a couple of trends shaking up the automotive industry in the years ahead. Outside of digitization and electrification, one trend often gets left out: the growing reliance on Mexico and cross-border trade. As OEMs relocate manufacturing down in the South, suppliers are starting to follow in their footsteps.
The United States’ infrastructure was put to the test recently when Winter Storm Uri passed through the lower half of the country. As a result, production at petrochemical plants shut down and the industry is now on the brink of a potential seat shortage.
At this point, the vaccine has rolled out to nearly 24.8 million Americans and counting. The vaccination story is just getting started for the automotive industry, with Stellantis becoming the first automaker to administer vaccines to its workforce.
Tesla has shut down production of its California assembly plant for two weeks due to a variety of supply chain problems. Should there be concerns over the true demand for Tesla vehicles?
Cooper Tire sold to Goodyear Tires in a deal worth about $2.8 billion. What effects does this have on Goodyear’s supply chain?
Winter storm Uri was brutal for a lot of people, specifically in the Southeast and Southwest. With that being said, the auto industry experienced some repercussions from the storm worth noting.
It’s a difficult task selling new vehicles when lot inventories are thin. However, with the right strategy, dealers can overcome disruptions in the automotive supply chain.
On Wednesday, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled against SK Innovation Co. Ltd. for stealing battery trade secrets from LG Chem. What implications does this have for OEMs that rely on SK?
Thanks to the congestion in Los Angeles, container rates and volumes in Savannah are both hitting highs. When will volumes stabilize?
The global chip shortage has been running rampant for more than three months now. U.S. senators urged President Biden this week to work with Congress to address this threatening problem.
2020 brought disruption and volatility. But dealers, against all odds, actually performed much better than expected.
Automakers called on the Taiwanese government Tuesday to persuade Taiwan chip manufacturers to reallocate production capacity for the auto industry. It looks like those pleas for help were heard.
Lean inventory doesn’t sit well with supply volatility. The chip shortage, as well as the pandemic, have been a wake-up call for supply chain managers.
There’s a push for more digitization and a growing need for more software as more EVs emerge and more self-driving capabilities are added to cars. Automakers are finding themselves without the expertise to fulfill the need for connected services and AI insights.
Reshoring had been in a slump the past decade, but 2020 saw it increase by more than 45%. As companies look to bring home operations, nearshoring will be on the rise.
OEMs will be able to close the gap that Tesla created with the help of energy policies from the White House and infrastructure already set in place.
Dealerships across the nation are already feeling the pressure of low inventory levels. A chip shortage is turning up the heat even more.
With 2020 in the rearview, there are promising signs that point towards industry growth if one crucial thing takes place: tight inventory levels need to be replenished.
Automakers have put a high priority on EVs as the world shifts to cleaner modes of transportation. With demand for EVs forecasted to rise, the demand for rare earth metals used in both EV drivetrains and batteries will definitely be on the rise as well.
There’s so much change happening around the world as society advocates for sustainable and clean transportation. Although a lot of the hype generated from EV development is deserved, some people believe EVs are overhyped, including Toyota President Akio Toyoda.
It’s safe to say that Apple has a major portion of the electronic market on lockdown. Apple’s next strategic move? Developing its own self-driving car and taking it to the streets by 2024. No joke.
After months of anticipation, COVID vaccines are finally rolling out across the country. However, both GM and Ford have decided against a mandatory vaccination policy.
Shippers are looking to speed up delivery and avoid long wait times by utilizing space on the East Coast. As a result, import volumes at eastern ports are on the rise.
QuantumScape, a producer of solid-state lithium batteries, has announced a major breakthrough that enables batteries to get an 80% charge in as little as 15 minutes.
The German automaker wants to put all its time and energy into R&D and building infrastructure that supports the production of EVs, such as plant improvements and equipment upgrades.
General Motors is not playing games when it comes to EV expansions. GM’s next move? Offering buyouts for Cadillac dealers who don’t want to invest in the necessary EV upgrades.
On Dec. 1, KCS announced that the blockades had officially come to an end. The Mexican economy has taken a hit due to the pandemic and the protests only added to the hurt.
FedEx and UPS are running into a van shortage amid a record surge in parcel volumes. As the number of packages increases during the holidays, carriers are finding themselves without vans to make final mile deliveries.
There is an ongoing race for EV domination as automakers across the globe push to be No. 1 in the EV market. Today’s focus? Tesla’s strategy to stay on top.
Detroit, like the rest of the U.S, is experiencing a resurgence of positive COVID-19 tests. However, the auto industry is projected to continue operations as normal thanks to effective virus protocols in place.
While critics who oppose the USMCA believe this deal will ultimately disincentivize automotive companies to keep manufacturing facilities in North America due to an increase in production costs, there are strong country-of-origin protections in place that we believe will intensify North American automotive production.
Protestors blocking ports and rail ramps in the Mexican state of Michoacán are disrupting Kansas City Southern de Mexico’s operations and damaging Mexico’s economy.
An increase in consumer demand is causing a container clog, with many ports and carriers running out of space. This surge has caused container prices to sharply increase, forcing automotive suppliers to pay a pretty penny for real estate on these large container ships.
