Automotive logistics may be on the rebound

While just a few years ago, the global automotive logistics sector was regarded as moribund at best, a new report suggest that demand from emerging markets are changing all of that.

According to Transport Intelligence (Ti) – a London-based think tank – the reversal of fortune may mean a wealth of opportunities for logistics service providers on a global scale.

“The automotive world looks like it is evolving into one dominated by a few large global Vehicle Manufacturers with operations in markets such as China, Brazil, Russia, India and elsewhere integrated into supply chains heavily rooted in North America, Western Europe and Japan,” said Thomas Cullen, Senior Analyst at Ti and author of Global Automotive Logistics 2013.

Cullen added that providing the logistics systems to support this structure will be the main challenge and opportunity for automotive logistics service providers from now on.”

In its new report Global Automotive Logistics 2013,  analysts note that following the global economic crisis of 2009, the automotive sector has recovered dramatically, surpassing the levels of demand witnessed before the crisis. The market is now worth an estimated 57 billion euros annually, rejuvenated by a surge in demand for vehicles in developing markets, in particular China, as well growth in demand such as in the North American markets.

The continued increase in demand in developing countries has resulted in structural changes in the market and created significant opportunities for logistics providers. For example, the explosive growth of vehicle sales in China has also led to a rapid increase in production in the country by global manufacturers.

Rosemary Coates, president of Blue Silk Consulting, and a regular SCMR blogger, has noted that this represents a significant opportunity for global logistics providers operating in the region as manufacturers demand Western standards of logistics service levels.

Ti said It is anticipated that China’s automotive logistics sector will grow by 10% per annum until 2014.