Reverse Logistics in Automotive Industry

As nowadays’ forward logistics of automobile industry have been developed in a good stage, according to various car manufacturers; third-party logistics companies are more concerned about the car forward logistics. However, with the mature of automotive consumer market competition, innovation and the rise of global environmental awareness, the car reverse logistics must be given due attention as well. The economic value of reverse logistics has become increasingly prominent, lead to a scene of focus only on the car forward logistics is not enough. The purpose of the thesis is to examine the current status of reverse logistics in the automotive industry. Thus, three objectives are put forward: 1) what is the importance of reverse logistics implementation in the Automotive Industry? 2) What are the existing problems of reverse logistics in the Automotive Industry? 3) How to improve management of current end-of-life automotive based on an environmental view? The objectives are fulfilled with the performance of reverse logistics in automotive industries from three automotive companies. Based on a multiple-case study, qualitative approach is used as the main research method to illustrate and present what and how questions. In addition, face-to-face interviews are adopted as well. Some concrete answers are got to meet with the research questions: the importance of reverse logistics presents by it can achieve the value of the enterprise and create a good reputation; about the existing problems currently, the system of reverse logistics is not mature enough, which indicates there is still large space for improvement; due to the last research question, enterprises can establish environmental policies and regulations for end-of-life automotive. After the research, the thesis describing how the reverse logistics performed in automotive industries.