Rail freight services for the automotive industry
DB Cargo UK plays a key role in the automotive supply chain, transporting finished vehicles across the UK and managing international services for both finished vehicles and automotive components.
Each year, we move more than 40,000 finished vehicles across the UK, working with some of the nation’s leading automotive manufacturers, including BMW. Our high-capacity rail services support production schedules, ensure reliable export flows, and help deliver vehicles to customers around the world.
Why rail works for automotive logistics
Moving finished vehicles by rail offers manufacturers a faster, safer and more sustainable alternative to road transport:
- Secure, weather-protected rail transport that helps prevent vehicle damage during transit
- Direct factory-to-port connections, removing the need for intermediate road movements
- Smoother, more efficient border control by rail, supported by secure customs facilities at Dollands Moor
- One integrated rail provider for the UK and Europe, simplifying logistics while reducing transport time
End-to-End automotive rail solutions
We manage the entire automotive journey, from factory loading to port delivery, providing an integrated door-to-port logistics service. Finished vehicles are loaded directly at UK manufacturing sites, moved by rail through key hubs such as Crewe, Coventry and Oxford, and delivered to Southampton East Docks for export.
Our automotive services operate year-round, running more than 15 trains per week with the flexibility to scale during peak periods. We use double-deck, fully covered wagons to protect vehicles from weather and handling damage, alongside open carrier wagons for larger models, ensuring safe transport every time.
DB Cargo UK capabilities
We provide reliable, flexible rail logistics for the UK automotive industry, connecting major manufacturing and distribution sites across the UK and into Europe. Our automotive routes link key production and export hubs, including flows from: Oxford and Halewood to Southampton East Docks, Toton to Dollands Moor for European exports and a core trunk route serving Crewe, Nuneaton, Coventry, Banbury, Oxford, Reading, Basingstoke and Southampton.
Operating 24/7 for more than 45 weeks of the year, we transport finished vehicles in secure, double deck covered wagons and open car carrier wagons tailored to customer requirements.
Customer success: BMW Group
For more than 25 years, DB Cargo UK has supported BMW Group by providing secure rail transport for finished MINI vehicles from Cowley (Oxford) to Southampton East Docks for export. Using bespoke, double-deck covered wagons, each train carries over 250 vehicles while protecting them from weather and handling damage.
We deliver a complete, end-to-end service, including locomotive traction, train crew, ground staff, operational expertise and real-time management to ensure safe, on-time performance.
Our long-term partnership with BMW is built on collaboration, flexibility and innovation, supporting production needs, adapting to changing volumes and achieving sustainability goals through low-carbon rail logistics.
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