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2025 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

14. Global Shifts in the Automotive Industry. Outlining the New Arrangements Between Technology, Policy, Firms, and Markets

Authors : Grzegorz Lechowski, Martin Krzywdzinski, John Humphrey, Tommaso Pardi

Published in: Global Shifts in the Automotive Sector

Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland

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Abstract

The global automotive industry is undergoing a profound restructuring driven by the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles, particularly battery electric vehicles (BEVs). This shift is catalyzing significant changes in sectoral competition, global value chains, and the international hierarchy of car-producing regions. The chapter explores how technological innovations, government policies, and market dynamics are reshaping the industry, with a focus on the roles of both established and emerging players. Key topics include the regional diversity in technology adoption, the impact of government interventions on electrification, and the strategic responses of incumbent OEMs to new entrants. The analysis highlights the evolving geography of automotive production, with China emerging as a dominant hub, and the complex interplay between high- and low-wage locations in established markets. The chapter also delves into the future trajectory of the industry, considering the persistence of regulatory pressure for low- and zero-emission powertrains and the Western response to China's leadership in electromobility. Through detailed case studies and empirical evidence, the chapter provides a nuanced understanding of the ongoing transformations and their implications for the global automotive landscape.

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Metadata
Title
Global Shifts in the Automotive Industry. Outlining the New Arrangements Between Technology, Policy, Firms, and Markets
Authors
Grzegorz Lechowski
Martin Krzywdzinski
John Humphrey
Tommaso Pardi
Copyright Year
2025
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-80641-4_14