Katarzyna Zabielska Summer OEM breaks in Europe: a strategic reset for car carriers
Every summer, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) across Europe implement scheduled production breaks, traditionally intended for plant maintenance and employee holidays. While most in the logistics industry focus on how these breaks reduce vehicle volume, smart car carriers see a window of opportunity – a chance to optimize, reallocate, and strategize. Here’s how:
Table of contents
Know the schedule
Understanding when and where OEM summer breaks occur is essential for effective planning. To help you with that, we compiled a comprehensive schedule that you can download for free.
Prepare for the summer slowdown today – the first factories are starting to close up next week!
Tailor your strategy to regional differences
European OEMs don’t all shut down at the same time. Some plants close for 2–3 weeks, while others operate at reduced capacity. Understanding these regional and brand-specific patterns gives you a competitive edge.
Quick guide:
- Germany & Austria: Typically early to mid-August
- France & Spain: Longer breaks, sometimes entire August
- Italy: Early to mid-August
- Poland, Slovakia, Czechia: late July – mid August
Understanding these regional rhythms helps in scheduling cross-border operations and rerouting trucks more intelligently. Check the actual schedule for 2025 here.
Diversify your customer base: explore new clients or routes
Many car carriers rely heavily on a few OEM clients. A summer break is a reminder that diversification matters.
Potential new sources of business:
- Used car logistics: From auctions, B2B trades, or lease returns
- Online car retailers: Platforms like Auto1, Heycar, and CarNext continue deliveries year-round
- Electric vehicle imports: Growing volumes from Asia often arrive through ports like Koper, Bremerhaven or Gdańsk
- Test out new multimodal options – like integrating rail or short sea shipping into existing road routes
- Leverage platforms like Prilo to discover non-OEM freight opportunities during factory slowdowns
OEM work is often long-term and predictable – but it can also be inflexible. A summer break is the perfect moment to look beyond it.
Use the downtime to maintain and upgrade your fleet
With fewer miles to cover and reduced pressure on operations, summer is the ideal season for preventive maintenance – especially for high-mileage trucks and trailers.
What to prioritize:
- Mechanical checkups: brakes, hydraulics, loading ramps, tire conditions
- Telematics and tracking systems: upgrade software, replace outdated GPS units, improve integration with load boards
- Regulatory compliance: update safety documents, driver certifications, and conduct internal audits
Some fleets use the summer to upgrade to EURO VI vehicles or retrofit older ones for better fuel efficiency – saving money when haul volumes return.
Analyze operational data to improve load planning
Factory shutdowns create a pause – not just in production, but also in routine operations. Use this time to analyze your:
- Empty run ratio (deadhead kilometers): What % of your fleet’s total mileage is unproductive?
- Load efficiency (cars per haul): Are you consistently underloading on specific routes?
- Lane profitability (€/km including repositioning): Which corridors are the most (or least) profitable, and why?
This is also the perfect season to test new planning software, integrate with platforms like Prilo, or train dispatch teams on better load-matching techniques.
Anticipate the post-break surge: be first in line
One of the most overlooked aspects of the summer slowdown is what comes next: the September production surge.
As factories resume operations, thousands of vehicles flood logistics compounds within days. OEMs then rely on their transport partners to move these cars quickly to dealerships, ports, and distribution centers.
Risks if you’re not ready:
- Missing out on profitable contracts due to low availability
- Playing catch-up in congested compounds with tight loading windows and long waiting lines
- Losing experienced drivers to competitors who offered better routes or prices
Fleet managers who prepare in July and August often outperform those who wait until after production resumes.
Conclusion: think beyond the summer break
For car carriers, summer OEM breaks are more than a dip in volume – they’re a strategic moment. Whether it’s realigning operations, gaining new clients, or preparing for the Q3-Q4 production surge, those who act – not react – are the ones who grow stronger.
Are you using summer downtime as an advantage? If not, now’s the time to rethink your seasonal strategy. The break season is already here.en alone. Properly selected and installed, it becomes an indispensable support in the daily work of a roadside assistance driver.
