FUTURE-PROOFING the automotive industry - FP7-Mode

7
Tackling change and winning
THE ROLE OF… ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT
MANUFACTURERS (OEMS)
FUTURE-PROOFING GLOBAL
LOGISTICS AT DHL
At Volvo, the future is already here…
Volvo Group Trucks Technology ATR (Advanced
Technology and Research) brings visionary new
technical services to life. It covers everything from
long-term research to delivering solutions and services
to market. It’s where a host of groundbreaking hybrid
technologies and safety functions were born. And it
ensures Volvo Group stays ahead of the pack when it
comes to revolutionary technology.
Key innovations
Electrical & embedded systems: optimising
electrical and embedded software, in combination
with sensors, actuators, cable harnesses, and
connectors, brings excellence in functionality,
dependability, robustness and energy efficiency.
Propulsion: working closely with everyone from
universities and research institutes to the European
commission and various national public agencies,
Volvo strives to develop vehicles with the best
possible performance in exhaust emissions.
Soft products: focusing on trailblazing new soft
products to meet customers’ changing needs, Volvo
seeks to deliver higher efficiency, lower operating
costs, better environmental performance and
enhanced delivery.
In a rapidly changing world, the automotive industry
is constantly facing new challenges. Supply bases
are becoming more globalized, emerging markets are
expanding and the era of mega cities is finally here.
But with big changes come big opportunities for
logistics companies like DHL. In fact, globalization
is continuing to push logistics to the fore. As the
demands for efficient transportation become greater
and more complex, the pressure is on to provide
logistics solutions that guarantee connectivity – fast,
straightforward shipping services that continue to
provide reliability and predictability.
Key challenges for logistics companies
As supply chains become more complex, the risk
of disruption becomes ever greater. Solutions are
required that provide stability now and well into the
future. But our responses have to be attentive to the
wider implications of finite natural resources and
issues of environmental sustainability. Vehicles must
run optimally with absolutely minimal CO 2 emissions.
One example is just-in-case vehicle maintenance,
where manufacturers replace parts after a certain
mileage, no longer meets our aims. With recycling and
optimal usage more important then ever, future-proofed
logistics solutions must switch to a ‘just-in-time’
approach to maximise each component’s lifespan.
Such future-thinking solutions require connected
thinking. That’s why DHL are taking a proactive
lead, collaborating with companies who share our
commitment to tackling the biggest challenges of
the next fifty years – from congestion and pollution to
market competitiveness.
“Innovation is at the heart of our strategy. We work closely with different partners
to develop energy-efficient solutions, including MoDe. Putting partners and
players from different industries together will bring brilliant global solutions. By
providing sustainable, reliable and innovative global logistics solutions we can
help prepare our customers for some of the future trends in automotive”
Fathi Tlati, DHL Global Sector Automotive President,
Customer Solutions & Innovations