In the automotive industry, where every minute of delay can have major industrial consequences, Renault has made logistics optimization a strategic lever for competitiveness. By leveraging the PTV OptiFlow solution, the car manufacturer strengthens the performance of its transport plans, enhances collaboration with its partners, and secures large-scale industrial supply.
The automotive industry is among the most demanding sectors when it comes to logistics and transport. Just-in-time production, global supply chains, reduced inventory levels, cost pressure, and high service quality requirements make road transport a critical link in overall performance.
In this context, even the smallest logistics failure can have major consequences: production delays, line stoppages, rising costs, or loss of competitiveness. Automotive manufacturers must therefore rely on advanced optimization tools capable of planning, simulating, and managing complex transport networks while integrating strict operational constraints.
Optimizing transport routes, reducing waiting times, and controlling logistics costs have become strategic levers to address the economic, industrial, and environmental challenges of the sector.
Renault is one of the leading players in the European and global automotive industry. The manufacturer relies on an extensive industrial and logistics network, with daily transport flows connecting suppliers, production plants, and distribution points.
Renault’s supply chain is structured around two main logistics streams:
Every day, more than 3,500 trucks travel across Europe to supply the group’s industrial sites and deliver finished vehicles. All road transport operations are outsourced, making the planning, coordination, and optimization of flows even more critical. This reinforces the need for powerful tools to manage, analyze, and optimize these flows.
Renault’s supply chain operates on a just-in-time basis, with extremely strict constraints:
In this context, mastering road transport is essential. Logistics costs have a direct impact on the final vehicle price, making transport plan optimization indispensable. Around 85% of flows are organized into regular routes, while the remainder is managed through spot transport.
Renault faces a dual challenge:
To address these challenges, Renault chose PTV OptiFlow, the route optimization solution developed by PTV Logistics, to optimize the planning and performance of its transport routes.
Initially perceived as a simple distance calculation tool, PTV OptiFlow quickly proved to be a true decision-support system for logistics.
With PTV OptiFlow, Renault can:
The tool has become a real strategic asset. It can assess the economic impact of internalizing flows, volume variations, or reorganizing routes.
Significant decrease in on-site waiting times thanks to route optimization.
Improved alignment between distances, volumes, and costs.
Identification of non-performance factors to enable continuous improvement.
The integration of PTV OptiFlow was carried out gradually, in line with Renault’s transport organisation. Today, the tool is fully embedded in the processes for analysing and optimising flows.
Building on the results achieved, Renault plans to extend the use of PTV OptiFlow to other industrial sites, both in France and internationally. The solution will also be deployed for network design projects to optimise the overall architecture of logistics networks.
The collaboration between Renault and PTV Logistics is built on trust and a collaborative approach to transport management. PTV OptiFlow acts as a trusted third party between the shipper and its transport partners, relying on a shared data foundation and objective simulations.
This transparency strengthens communication, facilitates decision-making, and helps build long-lasting, balanced relationships with logistics providers in an exceptionally demanding industrial environment.
“PTV OptiFlow helps balance the relationship with logistics partners. Acting as a neutral arbitrator, it relies on shared data to identify performance levers for both us and our carriers. It provides everyone with a clear, objective view, free of bias.”
Plan and Optimize Your Routes with PTV OptiFlow SaaS
