Click to Enlarge.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is now removing wreckage, and looking at how to best remove a Singapore ship that hit Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge last week to reopen the port to two-way traffic. Several major global automakers, their workers and customers are potentially affected. The Port of Baltimore is the busiest US port for automotive shipments, with more 847,000 cars and light trucks processed in 2023. (AutoInformed on March US Vehicle Sales Up. Record Q1 Consumer Spending!)
“Japan, Korea and Germany are the main origins for vehicles entering the US market, so brands with heavy production concentrations in those locations have the potential to be impacted more significantly, especially those in Europe,” said the GlobalData* consultancy. “It is no surprise that Hyundai and Toyota were the top importers, though General Motors (GM) was the third largest, with vehicles coming from Korea and China. VW Group is among the top 5 importers, while BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Stellantis are also exposed to potential disruption.”
“The diversion of ships to other viable ports will likely cause some bottlenecks, given the limited number of available options; however, it should be manageable with minimal delays once ships are rerouted. It will likely require coordination between OEMs, suppliers, shipping companies and port authorities to minimize the disruption at any given alternative location,” GlobalData said.
BMW, Volkswagen Group and Volvo Group maintain the collapse would not have an impact. Toyota said it did not foresee major disruption because Baltimore is not a primary port for its North American operations. However, it will have some impact, primarily on vehicle exports.
*GlobalData
GlobalData says that “4000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.” J.D. Power is also part of GlobalData. Inquiries at: customersuccess.automotive@globaldata.com.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Baltimore Bridge – Japanese, Korean, German Makers at Risk
Click to Enlarge.
The US Army Corps of Engineers is now removing wreckage, and looking at how to best remove a Singapore ship that hit Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key bridge last week to reopen the port to two-way traffic. Several major global automakers, their workers and customers are potentially affected. The Port of Baltimore is the busiest US port for automotive shipments, with more 847,000 cars and light trucks processed in 2023. (AutoInformed on March US Vehicle Sales Up. Record Q1 Consumer Spending!)
“Japan, Korea and Germany are the main origins for vehicles entering the US market, so brands with heavy production concentrations in those locations have the potential to be impacted more significantly, especially those in Europe,” said the GlobalData* consultancy. “It is no surprise that Hyundai and Toyota were the top importers, though General Motors (GM) was the third largest, with vehicles coming from Korea and China. VW Group is among the top 5 importers, while BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Stellantis are also exposed to potential disruption.”
“The diversion of ships to other viable ports will likely cause some bottlenecks, given the limited number of available options; however, it should be manageable with minimal delays once ships are rerouted. It will likely require coordination between OEMs, suppliers, shipping companies and port authorities to minimize the disruption at any given alternative location,” GlobalData said.
BMW, Volkswagen Group and Volvo Group maintain the collapse would not have an impact. Toyota said it did not foresee major disruption because Baltimore is not a primary port for its North American operations. However, it will have some impact, primarily on vehicle exports.
*GlobalData
GlobalData says that “4000 of the world’s largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData’s unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData’s mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.” J.D. Power is also part of GlobalData. Inquiries at: customersuccess.automotive@globaldata.com.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.