Automotive

China's 'Second Mice' Enter the Capitalist Maze

September 24, 2012

So we have a handful of Chinese companies that haven't grown up by the traditional method of attaching an umbilical cord to the government and receiving endless amounts of financial support and monopoly status in return. These "Second Mouse" ventures are going head to head, both in China and around the world, with entrenched, Western-style multinationals. The question is: can they really compete?

China's 'Second Mice' Enter the Capitalist Maze

September 24, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Survey Finds Need for New Approach to Improving, Measuring Automotive Quality

September 20, 2012

AIAG

The methods for measuring quality in the automotive industry are outdated and in need of replacement, according to a study detailed by AIAG, a not-for-profit organization that works with global manufacturing companies and service providers to help them operate at peak performance.

Mazda Motor Logistics Europe Automates Customs Declaration Process

September 20, 2012

Descartes

Mazda Motor Logistics Europe N.V., the Belgian-based operation of Mazda Motors, is using Descartes' cloud-based customs solution to automate declaration filings in Belgium.

Manufacturer enhances service while reducing fuel and distribution costs

September 19, 2012

Challenge: This integrated garage door systems manufacturer wrestled with excessive product damage and drivers who weren't invested in maintaining a high level of customer service. To improve their supply chain performance, this customer had to improve distribution and transportation efficiencies while minimizing product damage and enhancing the customer experience.

RFID Market Expected to See Robust Growth at Least Through 2017

September 18, 2012

ABI Research

The traditional uses of RFID for the identification of animals, people and within the automotive sector are continuing to grow and are projected to increase by $2.8bn from 2012 to 2017. However, ABI Research's new RFID Market Tracker found that modernizing RFID applications will grow twice as fast with annual revenues derived from these jumping by $4.5bn in the same timeframe.

Can Chinese Companies Compete on a Global Playing Field?

September 17, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

Considering the astonishing growth of China's economy over the past decade, it should come as no surprise that 73 Chinese companies showed up on this year's Fortune Global 500. That's up from 11 just ten years ago, but given that fact that the nation saw average annual GDP growth of 9.91 percent between 1979 and 2010, and is now the world's second largest economy, one might ask why more Chinese companies aren't on Fortune's list.

APL Logistics Debuts Racks for Moving Finished Vehicles

September 17, 2012

APL Logistics

APL Logistics has introduced AutoDirect, a service that uses flexible, secure racks to transport finished vehicles from door to door.

Can Chinese Companies Compete on a Global Playing Field?

September 17, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

How Business Should Respond to SEC's Rule on Conflict Minerals

September 10, 2012

Robert J. Bowman, SupplyChainBrain

No one appears completely happy with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's new rule on tracking the presence of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in high-tech and other types of products. Comments on SEC's action range from outright opposition to quibbling over details.

Automotive

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the automotive industry — which consists of companies that produce automobiles, utility vehicles, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and heavy trucks. Learn how automotive companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.