2026 highlights
Red Sofa Interviews
Red Sofa interview | From hailstorm to solar-powered logistics: Kia’s James Bell on turning disruption into resilience
Watch Kia America’s James Bell explain how a major hailstorm damage event led to a fast-tracked logistics transformation, combining vehicle protection with solar energy and long-term resilience.
Red Sofa interview | Mercedes-Benz' Cassandra Morgan on the impact of tariffs, fuel price spikes and new carrier contracts on finished vehicle logistics
Cassandra Morgan, manager of finished vehicle logistics at Mercedes-Benz USA, shares how the industry has responded to US tariffs and the recent sharp rise in fuel prices, as well as how the automaker works with its carriers to boost productivity across its network.
Red Sofa interview | Cost pressure, capacity and collaboration: VW’s Anu Goel on redefining vehicle logistics resilience
Volkswagen Group of America’s Anu Goel explains how cost pressure, tariffs and volatility are forcing logistics teams to rethink partnerships, network design and resilience strategies.
Red Sofa interview | Tariffs, trade friction and Chinese EVs: NADA economist Patrick Manzi on North America’s vehicle market outlook
Patrick Manzi, chief economist at NADA, explains how tariffs, shifting trade policy and rising Chinese EV competition are reshaping vehicle sales, production and cross-border supply chains.
Red Sofa interview | BMW Mexico’s Raúl Gamboa on export strategy, EV logistics and AI
At Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2026, BMW’s Raúl Gamboa explains how Plant San Luis Potosí is adapting to shifting trade flows, scaling EV logistics and using real-time vehicle data to drive smarter, more resilient operations.
Articles
BMW Group's Raúl Gamboa on building agile, accurate and AI-driven vehicle distribution
Raúl Gamboa, head of logistics at BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí Plant, outlined how the company is reshaping its North American distribution strategy through a new cross-border Landbridge Project, a suite of in-house AI tools now live in production, and a digital transformation philosophy built from the plant floor up – before joining a panel alongside Glovis America and ICL to explore what connecting the vehicle supply chain through data actually requires.
Automotive leaders adapt network strategies to address modern challenges
Speaking at the Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2026 conference, industry leaders revealed how they are adapting their network strategies to be flexible and proactive, taking into account considerations such as cost increases, driver shortages, cross-border complications and new model launches.
US EV demand down since tax credit removal while geopolitical tensions increase supply chain risk and tariffs reshape auto production
NADA's chief economist shared insights into trends in the region's automotive market today with vehicle sales and production figures in North America for the next decade. He explored everything from the Iran war impact to declining EV demand and production shifts.
Kia and Nissan share how collaborative partnerships can be "pivotal" to success in finished vehicle logistics
In all areas of finished vehicle logistics, close collaboration with partners and suppliers can provide a strategic advantage for OEMs, offering numerous benefits for all parties involved. From procurement all the way through to delivery, collaboration is key.
“Survive and advance,” Anu Goel said, as he shares how Volkswagen Group of America is turning turbulence into a logistics mandate
Speaking at the Finished Vehicle Logistics North America 2026 conference on April 22, Volkswagen Group of America’s Anu Goel – later joined by fellow panellists from Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Blue Yonder – said today’s finished vehicle logistics leaders must build networks that can adapt at speed, as tariffs, geopolitics and capacity shocks turn resilience into a business imperative.
