2026 AGENDA

As with other regions around the world, automotive stakeholders in South-East Asia must navigate considerable complexity and uncertainty, including weather disruption, bottlenecks across critical shipping lanes and ports and changing trade rules. However, with especially long supply chains, varied model mixes and often constrained plant or warehouse space, manufacturers across ASEAN need more than contingency stock to ensure resilience. They are instead working to improve visibility, localise sourcing, whilst also re-engineering logistics to ensure the most flexible, yet reliable production.

As automotive supply chains are further integrated across South-East Asian markets and key trade partners, gaps in visibility become a critical vulnerability. For OEMs and suppliers to better compete and serve customers, they need the ability to track shipments in real-time, monitor inventory levels across locations and in transit, and understand risk and compliance both upstream and downstream. 

As automotive manufacturers seek to grow in ASEAN, as well to expand trade with key partners in Asia and beyond, there are opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to deepen integration and support growth across the supply chain. But those entering the region must be aware of business practices, regulations and cultural considerations, from managing long supply chains, navigating regional trade pacts like RCEP and ATIGA, to competing and collaborating with manufacturers from China. 

Susanne Lehmann will discuss what automotive manufacturers, suppliers and logistics providers need to understand when doing business in South-East Asia, from the competitive landscape, to strategies for localisation. She will  and for companies from the region looking to partner more closely across major markets like China, India and Europe. 

Whilst South-East Asia is emerging as a growing automotive manufacturing and sales base, the region still faces gaps in establishing a fully integrated and efficient regional supply chain that can efficiently manage complexities and requirements across the sector, including for vehicle launches and change management, as well as expanding production of EVs, software-defined vehicles and components. To attract more regional manufacturing and investment, the regional also needs to develop logistics facilities, freight and customers services that match the requirements of the automotive industry.

Drawing on his hands-on experience in automotive manufacturing and logistics DX in Japan, Kohei Yamauchi will share practical observations from projects involving robotics, autonomous logistics, IoT, logistics software and supply-chain digitalisation.

The presentation will explore several questions: What changes when a successful technology pilot needs to become part of everyday operations? Why do some solutions scale while others remain localized? And how do technology, operational processes, physical environments, people and data need to work together?

The discussion will also incorporate perspectives from technology providers and automotive manufacturing leaders in Japan and Southeast Asia, providing a view of how automation and digitalisation priorities are evolving across different operating environments.

Rather than presenting a single blueprint for digital transformation, the session will highlight practical lessons and questions for automotive companies considering how to move from individual DX initiatives toward more connected and scalable operations. 

This session will explore how industry-driven education and strong collaboration between technical and vocational training institutions and industry can strengthen the region’s e-mobility talent ecosystem. The discussion will also look at AI-enabled systems, predictive maintenance, smart safety and connected green mobility—supporting Malaysia and ASEAN in building a skilled, innovative and future-ready e-mobility workforce. 

In this final session, decision makers and leaders will reflect on the long-term goals and objectives for making the South-East Asian automotive supply chain more agile, digital and competitive. Experts will reflect on the market shifts, demand and regulations that will define the landscape over the next decade. 

Whether is it about developing resilient, yet agile supply chains, responding to changing geopolitical tensions or embedding a supply footprint fit for the future, the conference will have showcased potential paths forward, and leaders will outline how the ASEAN region can remain competitive and become the engine for global automotive growth.