Automotive Logistics Companies

Automotive logistics companies refer to specialised enterprises providing material movement, warehousing, and distribution services for raw materials, auto parts, completely built-up (CBU) vehicles, and after-sales replacement parts across the automotive supply chain. Automotive logistics spans the entire lifecycle of a vehicle—from procurement, manufacturing, and assembly to sales, after-sales service, and import/export—serving as a vital bridge within the automotive industry. As China maintains its position as the world's largest automotive market in production and sales for consecutive years, the sector has evolved into a modern logistics framework centred on finished vehicle logistics, alongside auto parts and after-sales spare parts logistics.

Industry Classification and Competitive Landscape

China's automotive logistics players are broadly categorised into three main tiers based on the competitive landscape:

Tier 1 comprises captive logistics subsidiaries of car manufacturers, such as SAIC Anji Logistics, FAW Logistics, Changan Minsheng Logistics, and Fengshen Logistics. Leveraging their parent groups' resources, these players focus primarily on internal captive logistics via a mix of proprietary fleets and third-party hauliers, backed by established distribution networks and infrastructure. Notably, SAIC Anji Logistics—a subsidiary of SAIC Motor—controls 8 key port facilities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Tianjin, alongside a nationwide network spanning over 4,000 trunk routes. With an annual handling capacity of 8 million vehicles serving over 30 car brands, its subsidiary Haitong Logistics ranks first globally in domestic and international throughput.

Tier 2 consists of independent third-party logistics (3PL) providers, including Changjiu Logistics, Yuanshang Shares, and China Railway Special Cargo. These multi-brand service providers primarily aggregate freight capacity. Changjiu Logistics is China's leading independent 3PL automotive logistics provider, serving over 60 automotive marques and collaborating with 80% of domestic OEMs.

Tier 3 comprises small-to-medium logistics operators with single-service offerings and limited reach, largely operating as outsourced sub-contractors for larger players in finished vehicle haulage, with relatively weak overall market competitiveness.

In addition, state-owned enterprises such as Sinotrans and China Railway Materials lead the market in revenue volume, driven by their extensive comprehensive logistics networks.

Core Business Models

Automotive logistics is divided into four key operational segments:

Inbound auto parts logistics (pre-production logistics) is critical to vehicle assembly. Key operations include Just-In-Sequence (JIS) synchronous logistics (delivering bulky components like seats and bumpers in sync with the OEM assembly line), direct plant delivery, milk-run collections, and consolidated distribution. Since 2011, Sinotrans Logistics has provided inbound plant logistics for mainstream domestic and international OEMs, managing tier-supplier collections and deliveries via its nationwide warehousing network.

Finished vehicle logistics (Outbound CBU logistics) involves the transport of completed vehicles, requiring agile responses to client demands regarding lead times, delivery points, and quality control. The domestic market predominantly adopts a two-tier distribution model: vehicles are first hauled from assembly plants to central distribution centres (primary haulage), and subsequently dispatched to 3S/4S dealerships or sales centres based on orders (secondary haulage). In 2025, Changjiu Logistics hauled 2,949,700 vehicles, including 2,754,600 passenger cars.

After-sales spare parts logistics covers replacement parts required for vehicle servicing, maintenance, and repairs, moving spare parts from central parts distribution centres (PDC) to authorised service centres and workshops via multi-modal transport.

End-of-life vehicle (ELV) and reverse logistics manages the automotive recycling chain, facilitating the remanufacturing, reuse, and recycling of decommissioned vehicles to support sustainable and green automotive logistics.

Industry Trends

The automotive logistics sector is undergoing significant transformation. In terms of technology enablement, tier-one operators leverage AI-powered fleet dispatch systems for real-time demand matching and fleet optimisation, minimising empty running and eliminating unproductive mileage. In terms of regulatory compliance, the Ministry of Transport and related authorities launched targeted enforcement actions on car carrier trailers in 2025, steering the industry away from price wars toward value-driven services. In terms of global expansion, Anji Logistics' international footprint covers over 80 countries and regions, operating 9 Roll-on/Roll-off (PCTC/Ro-Ro) vessels with another 13 on order; meanwhile, Changjiu Logistics leverages the China-Europe Railway Express and its proprietary Ro-Ro fleet to build robust "road-rail-sea" multimodal international capabilities. In terms of green logistics, players like Yuanshang Shares have begun deploying hydrogen fuel cell commercial hauliers to drive low-carbon logistics operations.