Last year was a tough one for automakers as they grappled with the double challenge of a global pandemic and an ongoing mobility revolution around connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) mobility. While health concerns temporarily halted vehicle manufacturing facilities and squeezed liquidity, industry players showed no signs of straying from their long-term CASE strategies. In fact, some are now upping the pace.
"The global automotive industry is probably on the longest lasting tipping point of its entire history," observes Axel Schmidt, Automotive Global Lead at Accenture. "The changing customer requirements in terms of more sustainable transportation modes—in particular the car—as well in areas such as connectivity, are demanding unprecedented resources. It goes without saying that the very best way, in terms of efficiency, is to pool both financial and engineering capabilities in order to deliver the best possible product at the lowest possible costs."
