Powering Performance

WASHINGTON— To help coordinate implementation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which enters into force on July 1, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently opened the USMCA Center.

The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) includes major changes for the automotive industry – presenting both opportunities and challenges. The USMCA replaces NAFTA and will initially start to take effect beginning July 1, 2020.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought supply chains to the forefront, whereas previously, many were accustomed to it running unseen in the background of everyday life. But for supply chain leaders, the pandemic has shifted focus from business as usual to crisis management, and planning for more robust supply chains in the future.

The long awaited motor carrier hours-of-service (HOS) final rule was issued earlier today (article written May 14, 2020) by the United States Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

In support of industry recovery efforts, AIAG has partnered with QAD and Quistem to offer a free webinar on “Operational Restart Readiness for the Automotive Supply Chain.” Presented by AIAG’s program manager of supply chain products and services, Jim Liegghio; QAD’s director of automotive, Terry Onica; and Quistem LLC’s president, Cathy Fisher, this 45-minute recording addresses key manufacturing topics to consider for resuming operations after a complete or partial shutdown in the current environment.

The increased use of virtual connectivity creates greater opportunity for cyber risk. Whether your organization is taking its first steps to prioritize cybersecurity, renewing efforts to protect itself from cybercrime, or performing a health check on existing security measures, AIAG’s Supply Safe: Cyber Safe bundles can help.

Information and ideas are the tools the automotive supply chain needs most to secure its future, said Pete Mento, managing director and practice leader of global customs and duties for Crowe LLP.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is causing widespread concern and economic hardship for consumers, businesses and communities across the globe.

According to the latest statistics, the average cost of a cybersecurity incident is now approaching $200,000 – and yet, only 31% of small companies have cyber insurance, and 70% said that they have no intention of purchasing a policy.

With the recent passage of “phase one” of a trade agreement between the United States and China and the ratification of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), 2020 was supposed to be a transitional year for the global auto industry. Analysts had expectations that sales in the sector had bottomed out and that growth in China would support the world market, reversing recent negative sales trends and getting back to a trajectory of growth. But the worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease has become one of the greatest tests to the complex global supply chains created by auto manufacturers over the past 30 years and could lead to another downturn in global sales.