Post by DSV - Global Transport and Logistics

The automotive industry is transforming at an unprecedented speed. Last week, Helmut Schweighofer, CEO of our Road division, gave a keynote speech at the Forum für Automobillogistik (FAL26) in Wolfsburg, highlighting how logistics providers need to move from being a supplier to becoming a true partner within the automotive industry. It is a mindset shift toward long-term collaboration, shared accountability and joint value creation across the value chain. The shift from combustion engines to e-mobility is just the start. Digital-native competitors from China are redefining expectations for simplicity, efficiency and speed, while macroeconomic pressure, labour shortages and political barriers reshape where and how we operate. Quality is being redefined. The perfection of millimeter-precise work has been replaced by digital excitement, software capability and seamless user experience. And this shift transforms far more than the vehicle itself; it reshapes logistics, operations and every technology-driven decision in the value chain. As Helmut Schweighofer put it: “To move forward, we must rethink how we work together. Traditional contractual relationships won’t unlock the innovation our industries need. With the largest network in the market, we can support this transformation, but only with new models of collaboration and a shared commitment to unlocking value. We need to move from being a supplier to becoming a true partner – this transformation is not an ambition, but a necessity.” Photo credits: VDA and BVL / Christian Lietzmann