Procurement Logistics of Japanese Auto Manufacturers in Inland China - Intermodal Transport Utilizing the Yangtze River - *

The procurement of automotive parts efficiently from remote suppliers under poor logistics infrastructure conditions has become a critical issue for car manufacturers located in inland China. This study explores how Japanese auto manufactures located in Sichuan, China have established its automotive parts procurement network and improve its distribution system to cope with severe logistics infrastructure conditions in the area. An analysis on the viability of ship transport in the Yangtze River as a means for long-distance transportation was also performed.