Car Industry Set to Stay Lean and Mean, but Good Times are Ahead
US sales next year are forecast up 5% on this year at 11 million, but that's a long way from the 16 million for 2007 at the height of the boom. Current inventory of stock is as low as 30 days, which compares to a 'normal' 70-80 days and a blow-out level of 120 days back in January.
These and other high-level analyses were being discussed at the annual Automotive Logistics Global conference attended by senior executives from carmakers and their logistics service providers. The savings at Ford were revealed by the company's global head of manufacturing,
Executives from GM, Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Chrysler and others stressed that the sharp changes in operating practices brought by the downturn are here to stay.
"This is definitely a permanent change (toward lower inventory)," said
Chrysler's manager for worldwide vehicle transportation,
Noted Nissan North America's
Despite US production being down at 8.5 m units this year, from 12.5 m last year, the car makers should be bullish about the medium term, according to Dr
Backed by premier sponsor Ryder Systems, Automotive Logistics magazine has organised the
Automotive Logistics Global was also supported by Gold sponsors i2 and WGI Manufacturing; by Global sponsor Wallenius Wilhelmsen; and by Silver sponsors Amports, Autoport, FedEx, Hybrid International Transport, Solnet, Sunderland City Council, Union Pacific Distribution Services and Vascor.
For further information: Julia King, Marketing Manager: [email protected], +44-208-987-0902; Louis Yiakoumi, Conference Director: [email protected], +44-208-987-0944; Chris Ludwig, Editor: [email protected], +44-208-987-0968
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