How does Toyota transport their cars?

Toyota is one of the world's largest automakers and they produce a wide variety of vehicles, from small cars to large trucks. So, how do they get those vehicles from the factories to the dealerships and customers? In this blog post, we'll take a look at how Toyota transports their cars.

What do you need to know about Toyota logistics services

Toyota Logistics Services (TLS), a Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. subsidiary, was founded in 1976 and is responsible for Toyota, Lexus, and Scion vehicle logistics operations, planning, and administration. TLS manages the inbound transportation of vehicles and parts from suppliers to Toyota's North American assembly plants, as well as the outbound transportation of finished vehicles to dealerships.

TLS utilizes a variety of transportation modes to move materials, including:

• Truck
• Rail
• Ocean vessel
• Airfreight

Each mode has its own strengths and weaknesses, so TLS must carefully select the best mode for each shipment.

TLS also uses just-in-time (JIT) inventory management techniques to minimize vehicle storage costs and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction by ensuring that dealerships have the vehicles they need when they need them.

How Toyota cars are transported from factories to dealerships

Cars are typically transported from factories to dealerships by truck. TLS works with a network of trucking companies to move vehicles from plants to rail yards, ports, and dealerships.

TLS uses a variety of trucks to transport Toyota cars, including:

• Flatbed trucks: Flatbed trucks are used to transport cars that are not yet assembled. The cars are loaded onto the flatbed and secured for transport.
• Enclosed trucks: Enclosed trucks are used to transport completed vehicles. The vehicles are loaded into the truck and secured for transport.
• Stretch trailers: Stretch trailers are used to transport long-wheelbase vehicles, such as the Toyota Land Cruiser. The vehicles are loaded onto the trailer and secured for transport.TLS also uses a variety of trailers to transport Toyota cars, including:Open trailers: Open trailers are used to transport cars that are not yet assembled. The cars are loaded onto the trailer and secured for transport.
• Enclosed trailers: Enclosed trailers are used to transport completed vehicles. The vehicles are loaded into the trailer and secured for transport.Rail cars: Rail cars are used to transport vehicles from plants to ports or rail yards. The cars are loaded onto the rail car and secured for transport.
• Ocean vessels: Ocean vessels are used to transport vehicles from ports to dealerships. The vehicles are loaded onto the vessel and secured for transport.
• Airfreight: Airfreight is used to transport vehicles from plants to dealerships. The vehicles are loaded onto the aircraft and secured for transport.

How are new cars loaded onto ships?

New vehicles are sometimes driven to a loading dock at the rail yard on ramps. The cars are then secured and locked in place on the decks. Specially designed rail cars called 'auto racks' have two or three decks, and can carry up to 20 vehicles.

At the port, the vehicles are driven or towed onto the ship and secured in place. The ships are specially designed to carry vehicles, and have ramps and lifts to load and unload the vehicles.

How long does it take to ship Toyota vehicles to USA?

It typically takes 10-14 days to ship a vehicle from Japan to the United States. The journey from Japan to the United States is called a transpacific voyage, and the ships that transport the vehicles are called Ro/Ro (roll-on/roll-off) vessels.

How long does it take to ship Toyota vehicles from the United States to Europe?

It typically takes 21-28 days to ship a vehicle from the United States to Europe. The journey from the United States to Europe is called a transatlantic voyage, and the ships that transport the vehicles are called Lo/Lo (lift-on/lift-off) vessels.

Conclusion

TLS uses a variety of transportation modes to move vehicles from factories to dealerships. Each mode has its own strengths and weaknesses, so TLS must carefully select the best mode for each shipment. TLS also uses just-in-time (JIT) inventory management techniques to minimize vehicle storage costs and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction by ensuring that dealerships have the vehicles they need when they need them.