THE AUTOMOTIVE FREIGHT INDEX
Quarterly intelligence on production shifts, cost pressures, and freight market dynamics impacting OEMs and suppliers.
Q1 2026 Edition: The Return of Volatility
Production shifts, rising costs, and tightening capacity signals are reshaping automotive supply chains.
The automotive supply chain is evolving faster than traditional planning models can keep up.
Presented by EASE COO, Keith Ward, the Automotive Freight Index is a new quarterly report built specifically for automotive OEMs and suppliers, delivering a data-backed view of the trends shaping production, transportation, and cost across the supply chain.
What You'll Get
- Key shifts in production and freight demand
- Insights into lead times, cost pressure, and capacity trends
- Market signals impacting OEM and supplier networks
- The EASE perspective on what to expect and how to respond
Plan for what’s next - not what worked before.
Download the latest Automotive Freight Index to stay ahead of market shifts.
Meeting the Demands of Key Automotive Manufacturing Regions
With extensive experience in the Midwest and Southeast automotive regions, EASE delivers adaptable solutions to manage safety stock, coordinate plant-side deliveries, and reduce production risks. We consolidate LTL deliveries into full truckloads or critical line shipments, keeping production on track while enhancing product visibility. With clear communication and dependable delivery, EASE ensures your shipments flow smoothly, minimizing disruptions and maximizing efficiency.
KEITH WARD
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Keith is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) at EASE with over 20 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management. He drives strategic planning, operational efficiency, and cross-functional execution to support growth and improvement. He began his career at General Electric while earning a double major in Business and Economics from Bellarmine University. Keith has held senior roles at Pacer Global Logistics and CEVA Logistics, leading teams and delivering results through data-driven leadership.
His industry expertise spans technology, food and beverage, automotive, and manufacturing. Keith serves on the board of One Dublin and lives in Dublin, Ohio, with his wife and two daughters.