Challenges and Trends in Vehicle Logistics Management
Growth continues – Operational Complexity Increases
Vehicle logistics continues to grow, but managing this growth is becoming increasingly complex.
Across the INFORM study series, industry participants have consistently expected rising transport volumes. The results of the 2026 survey confirm that this long-term trend remains intact.
At the same time, the operational environment for vehicle logistics organizations is becoming more challenging. Rising costs, tighter capacity, and increasingly interconnected logistics networks are placing growing pressure on planning and coordination processes.
The following section examines how these developments are shaping operational priorities and which challenges industry participants consider most critical today.
In the next five years, do you expect the volume of vehicles your company handles to grow?
Respondents 2026: n = 111
Yes, by more than 20 %
Yes, by 10 - 20 %
Yes, up to 10 %
I expect volume to stay on the same level
I expect the volume to decrease
Other
Challenges Ahead and Comparison with Older Surveys
The results show that operational challenges in vehicle logistics have remained largely consistent over time, but their relative importance has shifted.
While earlier surveys placed stronger emphasis on delivery performance and execution reliability, the current results indicate a growing focus on operational efficiency, resource utilization and transparency across logistics networks.
This reflects the increasing complexity of vehicle logistics operations, where companies must coordinate larger networks, manage capacity constraints and maintain reliable planning processes under changing market conditions.
Which challenges in the vehicle management process are most important for you?
Respondents 2026: n = 111; 2023: n = 106; 2018 = 61. Not all options were available in 2018.
Assurance of shorter lead times / on time delivery
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No Answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Better planning of incoming and outgoing delilveries
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No Answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Better utilization of the parking area
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Evaluation, analysis and statistics about the efficiency of business processes
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Flexible reaction to deviations from the plan
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Increase of efficiency in operational processes
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Loading of truck / train / ship
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No Answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Prioritization of vehicles
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No Answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
On time execution of each order
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Less or not important
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Too little space
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Too little transport capacity
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Tracking damages that occur in the parking area
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Transparency about the availability of technical and personnel resources
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Transparency about the data related to each vehicle
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
2018
Very important
Important
Less or not important
Understand and report CO2 emissions
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No Answer
2023
Very important
Important
Less or not important
More mobile devices to increase communication
(first surveyed in 2026)
2026
Very important
Important
Less or not important
No Answer
Which technologies will shape your business in the next five years?
2023: Which upcoming technologies will affect your bussiness within the next five years?
Respondents 2026: n = 111, 2023: n = 106; 2018 = 60. Multiple selections possible. Some options were only available since 2023.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)/ Machine Learning (including Generative AI and Optimization)
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
2023
Cloud / Platforms
(only surveyed in 2026)
2026
Digital Twins
2026
Electric vehicles
2023
2018
Electric Trucks
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
2023
Vehicle-based GPS telematics
2026
2023
2018
Self-driving cars within the yard
2026
2023
2018
Truck-based GPS telematics
2026
2023
2018
Robotics
(Transport robots in 2023 + 2018)
2026
2023
2018
Car-to-car communication
2023
2018
Hydrogen trucks
(surveyed since 2023)
2026
2023
Blockchain
2023
2018
Drones
2023
2023
2018
Other
(only surveyed in 2023)
2026
2023
Key Findings
- Operational efficiency remains one of the dominant priorities in vehicle logistics.
- Planning and coordination challenges are becoming more important as logistics networks grow more complex.
- New topics such as CO₂ reporting and capacity constraints reflect structural changes across the industry.