Executive Interpretation
Interpreting the results of the 2026 study
Perspectives from INFORM’s vehicle logistics experts.
Executive Interpretation
Interpreting the results of the 2026 study
Perspectives from INFORM’s vehicle logistics experts.
INFORM develops software that helps companies optimize complex business processes using artificial intelligence and operations research. In vehicle logistics, the company is widely recognized as a leading provider of software solutions for planning and managing vehicle flows in complex logistics networks.
In the following interview, Dennis Feddern and Hartmut Haubrich, Senior Vice Presidents Vehicle Logistics at INFORM, discuss the key findings of the 2026 INFORM Trend Report on IT in Vehicle Logistics Management and share their perspectives on what the results reveal about the current state of vehicle logistics and the trends shaping the industry.
Hartmut, looking at the results of this year’s study – which finding stood out most to you?
Hartmut: What stands out most in this year’s study is the growing operational pressure across vehicle logistics networks. While many respondents still expect vehicle transport volumes to increase in the coming years, companies are simultaneously dealing with rising costs, tighter capacity and increasing coordination complexity.
Compared with earlier editions of the survey, cost pressure and operational constraints play a much more prominent role in the responses. This goes along with a trend that we see in the whole automotive market. Disruption through new players and electrification is forcing established companies to respond and adapt.
Dennis: At the same time, the results also reflect a somewhat mixed market picture. In some regions, market signals currently point to weaker developments in vehicle transport volumes, while other markets still expect growth.
Regardless of these regional differences, the operational challenge for logistics organizations is clearly increasing. Managing vehicle flows efficiently under tighter economic conditions is becoming a defining task for the industry.
What stands out most in this year’s study is the growing operational pressure across vehicle logistics networks.
What broader development in vehicle logistics is reflected most clearly in this year’s study?
Hartmut: One broader development that becomes very clear is the increasing complexity of vehicle logistics networks. Earlier studies in this series already pointed to growing coordination requirements across logistics networks.
The current survey confirms that this trend continues. Respondents increasingly highlight the challenges of coordinating multiple partners, managing capacity constraints and maintaining reliable delivery times.
Dennis:
What has changed compared with earlier surveys is that several pressures are now occurring simultaneously. Companies must manage higher operational expectations while dealing with tighter capacity, volatile networks and rising cost pressure.
This combination significantly increases the complexity of planning and decision-making in vehicle logistics.
Based on the results of this year’s study, where do you currently see the biggest operational challenge in vehicle logistics?
Dennis: The study clearly shows that coordination across the logistics network remains one of the biggest operational challenges.
Vehicle logistics involves many independent actors — carriers, terminals, rail operators, ports and dealers — each operating with their own systems and planning processes. As networks grow larger and more interconnected, this coordination becomes increasingly demanding.
If information is not shared consistently across the network, planning often becomes reactive rather than proactive. The results also indicate that many companies are still looking for better transparency, particularly regarding delivery times and transport status.
Hartmut: Compared with earlier surveys, respondents now place even greater emphasis on transparency and reliable planning information.
This reflects a growing need to manage logistics networks more proactively rather than reacting to disruptions after they occur.
Dennis: Exactly. Companies increasingly recognize that better visibility across the logistics network is essential for making informed operational decisions.
But transparency alone is not enough. The real challenge is turning that information into better operational decisions and more efficient execution.
Vehicle logistics planning involves many actors and dependencies. Where do planners face the greatest complexity in practice today?
Dennis: Planning vehicle logistics operations requires balancing many variables at the same time: vehicle volumes, transport capacity, delivery commitments, routes and operational constraints at terminals.
What the study highlights is that these factors are becoming increasingly dynamic. Even small disruptions can quickly affect the entire logistics network.
Hartmut: Earlier studies already showed that planners spend a considerable amount of time coordinating information across partners. The current results suggest that this challenge has become even more pronounced.
Dennis: This is why many respondents highlight the need for stronger planning support. Technology should help planners evaluate options faster and make better operational decisions.
Where do you currently see the biggest gap between ambition and operational reality in vehicle logistics?
Hartmut: Many companies aim to achieve end-to-end transparency across their logistics networks.
However, the study shows that operational information is still often fragmented across different systems and partners. As a result, planners spend considerable time collecting and reconciling information.
Dennis:
Transparency alone is not the final objective. The real value comes when companies can translate operational data into better decisions.
The survey results suggest that many organizations are still working to bridge this gap between data availability and effective decision support.
Transparency alone is not the final objective.
The real value comes when companies can translate operational data into better decisions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) receives a lot of attention across the logistics industry. What role do you see it playing in vehicle logistics specifically?
Dennis: Artificial intelligence is one of the technologies that respondents clearly expect to shape vehicle logistics in the coming years. In the survey, a large majority of participants indicate that AI will have a significant impact on the industry.
This reflects a broader development we are seeing across logistics networks. As operations generate increasing amounts of data and planning decisions become more complex, traditional planning approaches are reaching their limits.
AI can help analyze complex planning scenarios, evaluate thousands of possible options and support planners in identifying efficient solutions.
Hartmut: From our perspective, the most important role of AI in vehicle logistics is decision support. Vehicle logistics operations involve thousands of planning decisions every day — from allocating transport capacity to managing yard operations.
AI can help planners evaluate options much faster and make better decisions under complex conditions. In practice, the goal is not to replace human expertise, but to support it with better analytical capabilities.
The most important role of AI in vehicle logistics is decision support.
What do the results of this study reveal about the current state of vehicle logistics?
Hartmut:
The study shows an industry that continues to face strong operational pressure. Many respondents still expect transport demand to grow over the coming years, while vehicle volumes stay constant.
In some regions, current developments are more moderate, while other markets continue to anticipate growth. Regardless of these regional differences, companies are clearly dealing with rising costs, tighter capacity and increasing operational complexity.
Dennis:
At the same time, expectations regarding transparency, reliability and efficiency continue to increase. The results therefore suggest that companies will need stronger planning capabilities and better digital support in order to manage these challenges effectively.
If you look five years ahead, what will distinguish the most successful vehicle logistics organizations?
Dennis: In my view, the most successful organizations will be those that are able to manage complexity more effectively than others.
Vehicle logistics networks are becoming increasingly interconnected and dynamic, which means operational decisions must be made faster and based on better information. In this environment, leveraging the potential of digitization and intelligent systems is becoming a key competitive advantage for vehicle logistics organizations.
Hartmut: I would also emphasize collaboration across the logistics ecosystem. Vehicle logistics involves many independent partners, and efficient coordination between these actors is essential for stable operations.
Organizations that are able to share information transparently and coordinate decisions across the network will be better positioned to manage both growth and volatility.
Dennis
Ultimately, success will depend on the ability to turn operational data into better decisions – consistently and across the entire logistics network.
Ultimately, success will depend on the ability to turn operational data into better decisions – consistently and across the entire logistics network.