EV outbound logistics transformation: maximizing efficiency with container solutions

In an ever-evolving logistics landscape, marked by the unforeseen disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this comprehensive study explores the intricacies of the finished vehicles outbound logistics, with a particular emphasis on the use of containers. The conventional reliance on Ro-Ro vessels for maritime transport within the global automotive industry encountered arduous challenges. In response, innovative strategies emerged, particularly within the electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector, exemplified by Tesla. This research seeks to offer profound insights into Tesla's adaptive strategies and their implications for the logistics sector. The research begins by examining theoretical logistics concepts, operational practices in the automotive industry, and the adoption of containerization. After having framed Tesla as a business, the thesis delves into some considerations of the company strategy with a deep focus in the supply chain structure. Subsequently, the third chapter elucidates the framework that was brought about by the lack of Ro-Ro capacity and sets the containers as a logistics solution. It then offers a detailed account of the entire process that other parties of the company set for the vehicles transported through containers, while highlighting the multifaceted influence of the destinations and the constraints of this dynamic logistics ecosystem. The goal of this thesis is to find the best practices and procedures for the logistics distribution of these vehicles, in order to fulfill the quarterly business targets while complying with the logistics efficiency constraints. In order to do so, chapter four meticulously studies which practices are the most suited for this process, with a critical examination of various scenarios. In the fifth and final chapter, the thesis unfurls the outcomes of the explored practices, revealing a comprehensive assessment of the logistics process. The results unearth valuable insights and reflections, particularly in the context of the alignment between the planned practices and the actual logistics operations. This research not only contributes to the understanding of the transformative impact of containerization in finished vehicles' outbound logistics but also serves as a real-world case study of Tesla's adaptability and resilience in the post-COVID-19 logistics landscape.