LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION
Lamborghini to create a US sales company
Lamborghini will set up a separate sales company in the US -- the first such operation outside Italy for the exotic-car manufacturer. About 40 percent of Lamborghini's global sales are in the US, and demand has been growing. US sales went from 100 in 2001 to 900 last year. In that time, the dealer body expanded from 14 to 30. [SUB] Jan. 21 06:01 CET
'In Europe': One auto industry, many countries
The European auto industry is often seen as one. But Europe's auto industry consists of companies with strong national identities. With today's issue, Automotive News Europe starts a year-long series that takes an in-depth look at each individual country. [SUB] Jan. 7 06:01 CET
SsangYong shakes up its UK and German new-car distribution
SsangYong is reorganizing it distribution network in Europe. The Korean automaker has appointed a new distributor in the UK. It is looking for an importer in Germany. [SUB] Jan. 7 06:01 CET
Toyota distributor will not tempt Mother NatureFearful of another Hurricane Katrina, Toyota Motor's independent vehicle distributor for states along or near the US Gulf Coast will build a second import center 240km inland from its current port in Houston, Texas. [SUB] Dec. 10, 2007 06:01 CET |
Automakers could be hit by German train strikeAutomakers in Germany could be hit by a three-day strike by the German GDL train drivers' union. GDL drivers of freight and passenger trains will strike for three days starting Wednesday. [REG] Nov. 13, 2007 15:06 CET |
Shipper DHL will assemble Recaro car seatsDHL International GmbH ships auto parts around the globe. Now it wants to assemble car seats, too. The company's DHL Exel Supply Chain division has signed an agreement with auto seat maker Recaro to assemble and deliver seat systems made by Recaro to automakers and others through DHL module centers. [SUB] 12:01 am U.S. ET | Nov. 12, 2007 |
Gray market is car-biz cancerEuropean car dealers might have cheered when retail giant Auchan sold only 45 of 200 heavily discounted Kia Picantos in two Italian supermarkets. A proper flop, indeed. But they should see the real threat to automakers and franchised dealers. The gray market undercuts the legitimate market Luca Ciferri is chief correspondent of Automotive News Europe. [SUB] Nov. 12, 2007 06:01 CET |
Rail-transport prices set to rise
European automakers can expect higher transportation costs and more shipping delays in the next few years as rising new-car sales and the opening of new markets overload an already strained logistics system, two senior executives warned. [SUB] Nov. 12, 2007 06:01 CET
Italian port will ship cars to RussiaBLG Logistics Group plans to turn the southern Italian port of Gioia Tauro into the Mediterranean's second-largest automotive logistics center. The port will become a major hub for transporting new cars from Asian manufacturers to booming markets in eastern Europe including Russia. [SUB] Nov. 12, 2007 06:01 CET |
Brilliance builds European networkChina's Brilliance Jinbei Automotive has captured a huge early lead over its Chinese rivals in piecing together a European sales network. It has locked up distribution deals in three of the Continent's top four markets. The fourth is pending. [SUB] Nov. 12, 2007 06:01 CET |
Dealer Frey adds stores in Frankfurt area
Switzerland's Emil Frey Group is expanding its German operations beyond Stuttgart, home of its core Schwabengarage unit, but is staying close to its Ford Motor roots. [SUB] Oct. 29, 2007 06:01 CET
Italy's largest logistics center plans to grow
To meet growing demand for Asian cars in southern Europe, Autotrade & Logistics is expanding Italy's largest automotive logistics center near here. Chairman Luca Caniato said the company will complete the expansion within 18 months. [SUB] Oct. 29, 2007 06:01 CET
Chinese and very proud of itLandwind will promote the Chinese origins of its vehicles when it launches sales of an SUV and a minivan in Europe next year. “We will be positioning [the models] as made in the workshop of the world. After all, 60 percent of the world's computers are made in China,” said Paul Williams, managing director of Landwind Motor Corp., the carmaker's Belgium-based importer for Europe. [SUB] Oct. 29, 2007 06:01 CET |
AVAG poised to become Geely's European importer
German dealer group AVAG Holding likely will be the European distributor for Chinese automaker Geely Automobile. Geely plans to start selling its vehicles in Europe in two years. [SUB] Oct. 29, 2007 06:01 CET
VW takes over 3 dealerships
Volkswagen Retail, which operates the automaker's company-owned dealerships, is strengthening its presence in metropolitan areas. The company has acquired two Brass dealership outlets, one in Ludwigshafen and another in Frankenthal along with Kutger & Rudolph's Audi/VW operation in Maintal. [SUB] Oct. 29, 2007 06:01 CET
Auction company buys online car transporter
Online auction company ATC-Onlane Inc. has acquired CarsArrive Network Inc., an outsource provider of automated vehicle shipping services. CarsArrive matches vehicles that need to be transported with pre-screened vehicle transporters going to a destination. [REG] 2:02 pm U.S. ET | Oct. 23, 2007
Renault takes over distribution in IrelandFrench carmaker Renault has ended its distribution agreement in Ireland with Glencullen Distributors. Glencullen has been distributing Renault cars and light commercial vehicles since 1986 through a 34-store dealer network. The company also has six parts and service centers. [SUB] Oct. 15, 2007 06:01 CET |
BMW plans 2 new U.S. parts distribution centers
Pre-tax profit of Belgium's largest car distributor jumpsBRUSSELS (Reuters) -- Belgium's largest car distributor D'Ieteren reported today a 22.3 percent jump in first-half current pre-tax profit, above expectations, and raised its 2007 financial guidance. Aug. 28, 2007 08:50 CET |
