2026 AGENDA
Supply chain drives growth:
How logistics can unlock potential in South-East Asia
Registration, networking and light refreshments
Welcome to Automotive Logistics & Supply Chain ASEAN 2026
Chief Content Officer Christopher Ludwig opens the conference, sets the scene for the days ahead, and shares opportunities for automotive manufacturers and logistics providers across the supply chain in South-East Asia.
Supply chain drives growth: How logistics can unlock potential in South-East Asia
South-East Asia offers immense automotive growth potential, but success depends on overcoming logistics bottlenecks and engineering more efficient flows across the region. Discover how OEMs and logistics partners are transforming fragmented networks and investing in assets, technology and people to build agile, resilient supply chains.
While South-East Asia is on a path to expand its automotive production and volumes, this growth depends heavily on overcoming low-scale supply chains, a patchwork of regulations and infrastructure constraints across key transport modes and ports. As OEMs and suppliers expand regional production and sourcing hubs in key ASEAN markets, the demands on the region's supply chain network have never been higher.
This opening session will explore supply chain requirements, freight optimisation opportunities and structural changes needed to propel the automotive market forward across South-East Asia. Industry leaders will discuss how to transform what can be fragmented networks in the region into a powerful supply chain engine for growth.
Talking points in this session will include:
- Strategies to manage and enhance regional logistics infrastructure and opportunities across key markets like Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Singapore
- How strategic supply chain management supports regional production hubs and localisation
- How transparency, digitalisation and AI could transform the region’s logistics
- Co-creating freight solutions through strategic partnerships
Competing in the ASEAN supply chain: Adapting supply footprints and logistics to stay ahead
With strong market competition across South-East Asia, including from Chinese OEMs, both new and established players are looking at how to increase speed and service in the supply chain. Learn how automotive stakeholders are redesigning physical footprints, rethinking logistics sourcing, and optimising networks.
The ASEAN automotive landscape is being re-ordered. As market entrants are expanding their presence – including vehicle imports and factory investments from Chinese carmakers and startups – automotive manufacturers across the region are rethinking their supply chain architecture. Many are using their logistics networks to gain or defend market share, better serve customers and to reduce unnecessary waste.
This session dives into the operational realities of how companies are restructuring their supply chains to survive and compete in the ASEAN bloc. Industry experts will discuss the strategic development of production and logistics hubs, the shift in how logistics services are procured, and the relentless drive to optimise networks in the face of fierce new competition.
Talking points in this session will include:
- The different approaches to logistics networks that new and established players are taking in South-East Asia
- Redesigning footprints and flows to keep up with customer changes and speed up time to market
- Rethinking logistics requirements, including freight sourcing, warehousing, 3PL/4PL services and alternative transport modes to maintain stability and improve utilisation
Networking Break
Take this opportunity to engage with fellow OEMs, suppliers, logistics and technology providers in attendance. Whether you're reconnecting with existing contacts or forging new ones, this session is designed for high-impact conversations in a relaxed, informal setting.
Adapting to shifting demand and policies: Agile supply chain and distribution strategies to match South-East Asia dynamics
With variations in consumer patterns, regulations and electrification levels across the ASEAN region, learn how automotive supply chain leaders stay ahead of changes and the competition through different logistics, assembly, knockdown kit and distribution models.
The ASEAN automotive market is charactered by varied volumes, different levels of EV penetration, a patchwork of trade and homologation regulations, as well distinct customer preferences and purchasing power. Such diversity embodies the region’s strength and complexity for logistics, as manufacturers manage long supply chains across a mix of full-scale local production, knockdown kit assembly, import and distribution models both for vehicles and aftersales. These variations require close integration of forecasts and planning, but also agile logistics models to adapt to demand at different stages of the supply chain.
This session will explore how supply chain management teams adapt to these market requirements through agile logistics, from enhanced demand planning, postponement and customisation strategies, flexible logistics networks, and real-time visibility.
Join this session to benchmark practical approaches for building resilient supply chains that minimise disruption, reduce lead times, and maintain a competitive advantage in a fast-paced environment.
Talking points in this session will include:
- Logistics processes and strategies to balance high product variation and local requirements across varying assembly, production and distribution models
- Leveraging data and pattern recognition systems to enhance supply and demand planning
- Designing flexible supply networks to reduce lead times, minimise transport disruptions, and mitigate risks
- Adopting collaborative supplier strategies to increase transparency and enable more joint logistics planning
Spotlighting ASEAN supply chain hubs: Malaysia as a strategic gateway for regional growth
Malaysia is taking a growing role in South-East Asia’s production and trade, with rising opportunities in the supply chain. Discover how automotive manufacturers and logistics providers are leveraging Malaysia’s logistics strengths, while navigating the interconnected dynamics of its neighbours including Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Singapore.
As automotive manufacturers diversify their supply chains across South-East Asia, many leverage strategic hubs, from the logistics powerhouse Singapore, the manufacturing engine Thailand or upstart Vietnam. But Malaysia also has a growing importance as a central production and logistics point and as distribution gateway for the region, thanks in parts to port infrastructure, favourable trade policies, and a growing high-tech manufacturing base.
But it also has logistics bottlenecks – including its inland roads, rail and shipping in the Strait of Malacca – as well as regulatory and trade barriers to overcome that would help it to produce and export more.
This session will explore Malaysia’s strengths and challenges and demonstrate how both can offer lessons for the wider ASEAN bloc, too. Industry leaders will explore how to balance operations across multiple countries, leveraging the unique strengths of each market to build a resilient, pan-ASEAN supply network.
Talking points in this session will include:
- Examining the infrastructure, port capabilities, and policies that make Malaysia an attractive hub for the automotive supply chain
- How operations in Malaysia complement and connect with the wider ASEAN and Asia Pacific region
- Strategies for streamlining customs, improving visibility, and managing the movement of components and vehicles to and between key ASEAN countries
- Building a diversified and resilient supply chain footprint in Malaysia and South-East Asia
Networking dinner and reception
Continue discussions from the day and identify new opportunities across the ASEAN supply chain in our eventing networking reception and dinner. Whether you're looking for potential partners, local insights, or future collaborators, this is where deals begin, and strategies evolve — in a warm, informal atmosphere designed to bring the region’s automotive leaders together.
End of Day 1
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