Partner Whitepaper: Automotive Digital Transformation in Uncertain Times 

The automotive industry is experiencing a profound CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electrified) driven transformation, leading to changes in virtually every aspect of the business. In addition to this CASE-related disruption, several macro factors add to the overall uncertainty, requiring a rethinking of traditional strategies to survive and thrive during this transition.

Developing an agile, resilient organization with a focus on people, processes, and technology is key to addressing uncertainty and mitigating risk. From a people perspective, as the industry becomes more technology-centric, the demand—and competition—for digital talent will only intensify. OEMs and suppliers must become employers of choice, competing with Silicon Valley for the cream of the hi-tech talent pool.

From a process perspective, winning companies must develop the ability to anticipate and respond to an increasingly complex and disrupted ‘normal’ and, more so than ever, place the customer experience at the center of their strategies, look beyond their four walls for operational excellence, and respond to opportunities with laser-like precision and speed.

Finally, organizations must implement an information technology architecture centered on a data-driven, cloud-based digital operating platform capable of providing scalability, agility, resilience, and actionable insights to achieve competitive advantage.

It may be cliché to say that the auto industry stands at a historic crossroads—but this reality also brings an unparalleled opportunity for exponential growth while building a foundation for the next 100 years.

Recycling, Jobs, R&D & Scope 3 Carbon Emissions

The concept of a circular economy for Lithium-Ion batteries (LiBs), along with its drivers, barriers and enablers has been studied recently (NREL 2021) with a view to inform public policy at the federal, state, and local levels and associated government initiatives and related goal setting. More recently, estimates on the monetary value generated per ton of battery recycling material have begun to appear [McKinsey 2023], as private investors and public sector agencies look for strategic and operational guidance. At Center for Automotive Research (CAR) we have observed an accelerated investment in electric-vehicle (EV) assembly plants, EV LiB manufacturing and related research & development (R&D) in the North America – primarily in the United States (U.S.), followed by Canada and Mexico.

With the intention of looking ahead and informing automotive policy makers, investors, manufacturers and suppliers, and communities, including the state and local economic developers, CAR has summarized our initial observations in this whitepaper. We begin with an overview of the U.S. battery recycling plant locations and capacities, as they stand in mid-2023. This is followed by our observation of the U.S. market demand for battery recycling jobs, skills, and roles. Next, we outline the U.S. battery R&D outlay and then conclude with an early observation of the growing urgency to help the auto investors and communities with Scope 3 Reporting. Keywords: Circularity, batteries, Lithium-ion, recycling, emissions, Scope 3, electric vehicles, EVs, inflation reduction act, IRA.

The Center for Automotive Research is committed to informing the public about the current state of vehicle technologies. In 2017, 2019, and 2020, CAR published roadmaps describing the current and likely future state of vehicle technologies. To ensure the information forecasted by CAR remained current and reflected the latest in vehicle technologies, trends, and expectations, CAR conducted ongoing research and moderated industry roundtables. Industry roundtable experts included auto manufacturers, parts suppliers, technology providers, data providers, autonomous platforms providers, and technology investors. Following the roundtables, CAR developed an updated roadmap and white paper reflecting industry trends and expectations. This paper summarizes critical issues involving the development and deployment of technology in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), autonomous vehicles (AV), and vehicle connectivity.

With funding from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) has prepared this technology roadmap based on internal research and a thorough analysis of available industry reports. CAR researchers vetted the study conclusions with critical input from a group of subject matter experts. This white paper updates CAR’s previous Technology Roadmap (Smith, Spulber, Modi, & Fiorelli, 2017) published in 2017.

With collaboration across city, economic development, chamber of commerce, and corporate representatives, Saginaw is keen to continue its economic growth and position itself as a community highly engaged with connected, automated, and mobility technologies. The Saginaw team requested that the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) explore opportunities for the region to encourage on-road CAV testing.

This document provides recommendations for the Saginaw region to pursue toward creating an on-road CAV test environment and ideas for improving regional mobility overall.

Communities that understand the potential challenges and benefits of IMS and CAVs and make wise capital investments based on that knowledge will be more attractive to both companies and residents. Communities that best adapt to these new mobility technologies and services will be best positioned to manage this investment.

This report first defines connected and automated vehicle technologies and various innovative mobility services. It also discusses the potential impacts these vehicles and mobility services will have on communities and transportation systems. The report concludes with guidelines for communities to maximize the benefits of CAVs and IMS for their residents, businesses, visitors and governmental entities which help to position Michigan as a leader.

With this knowledge, Michigan communities will be well-positioned to take advantage of various technology advancements and make sound decisions on infrastructure investments, transportation plans, and strategic master planning.

To better understand opportunities to enhance the region’s connected and automated vehicle (CAV) environment and explore ways the defense and automotive sectors can achieve greater collaboration in this space, the Advance Michigan Defense Collaborative , through funding from a Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment Defense Industry Adjustment Grant, funded the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) to develop a plan to strengthen the region’s CAV ecosystem. This Strategic Growth Plan for Connected and Automated Vehicle Assets in Southeast Michigan contains key findings from three parts of the project: a benchmarking exercise that compares southeast Michigan with four other regions on a variety of CAV technology topics, maps of regional CAV assets, and a SWOT analysis.