Keeping track

Hyundai has incorporated barcode readers over the last few years and is currently upgrading its system. “With RF barcode reading technology, the system is updated more quickly and it’s a lot more accurate,” says Beer.

WhereNet recently implemented the world’s largest active RFID real-time locating system to track 40,000 vehicles at the Broekman Group’s automotive logistics terminal in the port of Rotterdam.

“For a high volume manufacturer, the cost of RFID and GPS is prohibitive as is the cost of replacing current systems,” argues Ford’s Applebee. “But I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t be feasible in the future if the technology becomes more affordable, as we’ve seen with other technologies.

“I do get the feeling that the strength of RFID is where you’ve got a relatively compact area and you’re tracking vehicles that are moving quite frequently.

So if you were processing vehicles through a PDI centre and you weren’t storing them, it may be cost-effective and I can see the possible advantages.

If you put 4-5,000 vehicles in a compound and they sit there for some days or weeks, you’re not really making any use of it. ?