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Nikolaus S. Lang is the global vice chair of Boston Consulting Group’s Global Advantage practice and a core member of the Industrial Goods and Automotive practices. Over the last 25+ years, Nikolaus has supported clients in more than 50 emerging and mature markets, including a large set of Chinese, Malaysian, Indian, Turkish, Saudi, and Brazilian clients, as well as clients from Europe and the US, on geopolitical advisory and mobility topics.

A global expert in connectivity, autonomous vehicles, car-sharing, and fleet management, Nikolaus is the founder and director of BCG’s Center for Mobility Innovation, a team of urban mobility experts and digital business builders. This team advises cities, public transportation operators, and mobility and automotive companies around the globe as they create innovative, state-of-the-art mobility solutions. Nikolaus also manages BCG’s collaboration with the World Economic Forum, which is dedicated to shaping the mobility of the future and, in particular, to how autonomous vehicles impact the world’s metropoles.

Nikolaus has published work on an array of contemporary questions, offering insight and guidance to policymakers, clients, and BCG teams on topics such as the new era of globalization, global digital transformation, geopolitics and trade impact, global R&D networks, and mobility innovation and new megacities in emerging markets. He is also a coauthor of BCG’s book, “Beyond Great,” which describes how the world has been transformed due to social tension, economic nationalism, and technological revolution.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

EDUCATION

  • PhD, business administration, University of St. Gallen
  • MA, business administration, University of St. Gallen

Publications and Videos

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How CEOs Can Navigate the New Geopolitics of GenAI

While the US and China have established early dominance in supplying this crucial technology, other competitors are emerging. Here’s what leaders need to know.

The Rise of Geopolitics

Amid growing global fragmentation, CEOs need strategic clarity. BCG’s Center for Geopolitics brings the expertise and analytics to help leaders navigate this challenging landscape.

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Moving Millions: A Recipe to Make Urban Mobility Work

Congestion, accidents, emissions, and other challenges require cities to develop holistic mobility alternatives that will shift travel from private transport to public and active modalities.
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Toward Open Strategic Autonomy

European leaders must adapt to an increasingly uncertain world, as trade flows and growth levels in 2032 will look very different compared to the past.
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Geopolitical Risk Is Rising. Here’s How CEOs Can Prepare.

The international order hasn’t been this uncertain in decades. CEOs must approach geopolitical risk with the same urgency as digitization, AI, and the climate crisis.
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Imagine This ... The End of Free Trade

If a handful of global blocs replace a 70-year legacy of free trade, companies will have to reorganize for supply chain efficiency, innovation, and more.
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An Evolving BRICS and the Shifting World Order

As more big emerging markets join the BRICS+ nations, the grouping could give the Global South a greater voice in world affairs and challenge the domination of existing institutions.
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Which Economies Benefit the Most from Free Trade Agreements?

An analysis of the trade agreements of over 100 economies and trade blocs shows how various governments compare across several measures of trade engagement.

Adapting to Global Trade Shifts

As the pace of trade growth shifts relative to the growth of the world economy, BCG’s Nikolaus Lang discusses what this means for public and private sectors, and shares no-regrets moves that companies can take.

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Jobs, National Security, and the Future of Trade

As global trade patterns change due to disruption, regional trade blocs with protectionist leanings gain influence.
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Where Will Software Drive the Auto Industry Next?

As vehicles become “computers on wheels,” key insights about the rapidly changing market landscape point to the need for greater collaboration among industry players.
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Rewriting the Rules of Software-Defined Vehicles

As cars steadily become software-defined vehicles (SDVs), automotive and technology companies must develop their partnering super skills to drive innovation and industry profits.