Under the motto "Speed & Efficiency—Winning Tomorrow’s Competition," the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the German Logistics Association (BVL) today opened the Forum Automotive Logistics 2026 (FAL) at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg. Over the next two days, experts from logistics, supply chain management, and automotive production will gather there to discuss innovative and practical logistics solutions. Topics will include resilient and regionally balanced supply chains, as well as increasing flexibility and responsiveness through digital technologies, automation, and artificial intelligence along the entire value chain. The sessions offer a wide range of topics: from the use of electric trucks in automotive logistics and automation in intralogistics to packaging concepts for the logistics of the future.

Companies successfully navigate complex environment

VDA Managing Director Dr. Marcus Bollig: "Global uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and new trade barriers pose major challenges for automotive logistics. In this era of profound upheaval, changing supply chains, and increasing competition, the pressure is growing to make logistics processes even faster and more efficient. This is precisely where the Forum Automotive Logistics comes in: We present solutions that enable companies to successfully navigate this complex environment. At the same time, the Forum Automotive Logistics, with its program, sends a strong signal for the close integration of logistics, production, and technology as the foundation for future success."  

Logistics and production are moving closer together

Kai Althoff, Chairman of the Board of the BVL and CEO of 4flow: "At this year’s Forum Automotive Logistics, I am particularly looking forward to the panels and discussions on resilient supply chains, which are becoming measurably faster and more efficient through digitalization, automation, and AI. Because fundamentally, it all revolves around the questions: 'How quickly can we see the results? How clearly can we make decisions? How reliably can we deliver?' The keynote speeches, including those by Hauke Stars, Prof. Dr. Julia Arlinghaus, and Arnd Franz, will also provide insights into how the automotive industry can further develop and position itself for the future through innovation and digitalization. The next two days offer numerous opportunities to exchange ideas with decision-makers and experts from our industry on these and other topics."

Driving digitalization and climate-neutral mobility

In her keynote address, VDA President Hildegard Müller emphasized: "This year’s FAL motto, 'Speed & Efficiency,' is also a call to action for ourselves to persevere in our efforts: We will continue to resolutely drive digitalization and climate-neutral mobility, overcome silo thinking, and network our supply chains transparently, resiliently, and intelligently. Only when information reaches all relevant areas in real time and purchasing, logistics, production, and quality work in close coordination within the company, we can react to disruptions faster than our competitors. This means that speed and efficiency are the core components of our future success—and logistics, as the pacesetter and crisis manager, assumes a central responsibility in the networked business reality of tomorrow."

With Volkswagen as host and Wolfsburg as the venue, the Forum Automotive Logistics 2026 is located in the heart of the German automotive industry and offers participants the opportunity to take part in factory tours. The highlight of the FAL evening event in 2026 will once again be the presentation of the VDA Logistics Award.