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.

The interviews conducted during this research stated that companies are mainly motivated by a focus on process improvement and demands communicated by their customers. The aim of this paper is to describe how digitization and transformation to new technologies can impact the quality assurance system of the manufacturers, specifically the automotive industries.

Competition amongst quality and consumer satisfaction are the most challenging factors in each industry. This project will focus on the influence of progressive technologies and ingenuity on a variety of modern, agile, and advanced processes in the automotive industry.

The research paper includes the investigation and the introduction of numerous developments and inventions in manufacturing organizations in the last few years. The paper begins by introducing the current challenges in existing processes and the impact of digital methodologies in planning and management – specifically in quality management. This qualitative research will also incorporate a summary that covers the digital transformation and the optimizations in the quality assurance sector of the automotive field.

• Industry Focus: Technology and Innovation
• Research Focus: Automotive Industries

The summary of this project will benefit educators within the advanced technology field, manufacturing stakeholders, as well as management. The research will be presented to educate the audience about introducing artificial modern technologies in order to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and competitiveness of the organization.

With funding from Case Western Reserve University, the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) has prepared this report summarizing a benchmarking survey conducted across over 120 firms. The survey was conducted by Case Western Reserve University in partnership with Boston University, Center for Automotive Research, New York University, Precision Metalforming Association, and multiple part supplier associations. The survey investigates two questions: 1) what drives the adoption of new technology in the manufacturing setting and 2) how do a firm’s relationships with technology and its employees affect this adoption.