How the Industry Is Responding to Growing Operational Pressure
Vehicle logistics is facing increasing operational pressure. Rising costs, growing complexity and volatile global networks are redefining how vehicle flows are managed.
The INFORM Trend Report 2026 provides insights from 111 industry professionals from OEMs, logistics service providers, carriers and terminal operators on the key challenges shaping vehicle logistics today.
Download the report to discover the trends shaping the future of vehicle logistics.
The Industry Is Facing a Dual Challenge
The 2026 survey highlights an industry facing continued growth on the one hand and rising operational pressure on the other.
While finished vehicle transport volumes are expected to increase, logistics providers must simultaneously deal with:
- Rising operational costs
- Limited transport capacity
- Increasing network complexity
As a result, efficient coordination of vehicle flows is becoming more critical than ever.
At the same time, companies are looking for stronger digital support to manage these challenges — particularly through better integration, real-time visibility and more flexible planning systems.
Participants and Company Data
Participation in the survey took place anonymously between December 2025 and January 2026.
INFORM used systematic sampling to identify experts from the automotive industry and vehicle logistics who completed an online questionnaire with 25 questions.
111 industry professionals and managers
Participants working at Automotive Manufacturers, Logistics Service Providers, Haulier/ Carriers, Car Terminal Operators, Port Authority
Companies located in Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa
Most participating companies are active in finished vehicle logistics, with 98% handling new vehicles.
Around half also manage used vehicles, while 30% are involved in high and heavy transport, highlighting the broad operational scope of many vehicle logistics providers.
Don't miss the interview about our assessment of the results.
Ultimately, success will depend on the ability to turn operational data into better decisions – consistently and across the entire logistics network.
