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MOU targets global automotive logistics
CEVA Logistics and BYD have signed a three-year memorandum of understanding in Marseille to expand their global automotive logistics partnership, with the agreement covering end-to-end supply chain services across six continents.
The deal follows BYD presenting CEVA with its “Best Carrier of the Year 2026” award, recognizing the logistics company’s service reliability, operational agility and automotive logistics support.
For shippers watching the electric vehicle market, the message is straightforward. BYD is moving from an export-led model toward a wider manufacturing and localization network, and that shift needs logistics partners that can manage more than point-to-point vehicle transport.
Wider scope for vehicle and plant logistics
Under the MOU, the companies will work on route planning, capacity allocation, warehousing and distribution, customs coordination, localized operations, end-to-end delivery management and low-carbon logistics solutions.
The scope reflects the changing shape of automotive logistics. Finished vehicle flows remain important, but the pressure is now also on inbound manufacturing logistics, plant supply continuity, overseas distribution, after-sales services and parts availability.
That makes the partnership relevant beyond standard car carrier operations. As electric vehicle manufacturers localize production, logistics networks must support batteries, energy storage systems, automotive electronics and the steady movement of components into regional plants.
A vehicle supply chain can look simple from the outside, like a car moving from factory to dealer. In practice, it is closer to an orchestra, where parts, customs documents, port slots, trucking capacity and warehouse space all need to arrive on time.
BYD pushes localized production
BYD said the expanded cooperation supports its international strategy as it strengthens global manufacturing capabilities and advances localized production.
He Zhiqi, Executive Vice President of BYD Group and Chief Operating Officer of BYD Auto, said CEVA had supported BYD’s standards for quality, reliability and operational excellence while helping the company advance its “in local, for local” approach.
“As BYD accelerates its global expansion, strengthening global manufacturing capabilities and advancing localized production are essential to driving sustainable growth in international markets,” He said.
The comment points to a wider trend in automotive logistics. Global electric vehicle manufacturers are under pressure to serve regional markets with shorter, more resilient supply chains. That can reduce exposure to disruption, improve service levels and support local content requirements.
CEVA links award to supply chain resilience
Mathieu Friedberg, Chief Executive Officer of CEVA Logistics, said the award marked an important milestone in the companies’ long-standing partnership and reflected trust built through operational performance.
“As mobility and energy transition accelerate globally, resilient, sustainable and locally responsive supply chains are becoming a critical enabler of growth,” Friedberg said.
CEVA said its global network and local execution capabilities will support BYD across finished vehicles, inbound logistics, overseas distribution, after-sales and plant supply continuity.
The logistics company operates in 170 countries, with around 110,000 employees and approximately 1,700 facilities. Its 2025 revenue was reported at US$18.3 billion.
Low-carbon logistics stays in focus
The MOU also keeps decarbonization on the table. CEVA and BYD have already worked together on electric truck deployment in Europe, including BYD ETH8 pure-electric trucks connected to CEVA’s ground transport decarbonization plans.
For automotive shippers, that matters because emissions performance is moving from a corporate target to an operational requirement. Customers increasingly want logistics providers that can show cleaner road transport, better route planning and more efficient multimodal options.
The expanded MOU does not disclose volumes, trade lanes or investment figures. Its significance lies in the operational direction: a major EV manufacturer is deepening its logistics support structure as it moves closer to local production and regional distribution.
