Automotive Industry

The automotive industry contributes 12% of global emissions. If companies are to drive growth as well as sustainability, they’ll need a carefully tailored approach. For example, we help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) excel in their existing businesses while developing the innovations and operating models that will propel the transition to electric vehicles. We partner with new entrants to drive scale and differentiate in the ways that matter most. We work with suppliers to refocus their portfolios as revenues from traditional components plateau. And we help all clients leverage key enablers such as data and AI through automotive digital transformation.

Automobiles have essentially become tech products on wheels. The impact of self-driving cars and connected and autonomous vehicles is bringing big opportunities—but also big questions. We help clients spark new revenue streams in areas such as subscription-based services, develop best-of-breed experiences through human-centered design, identify and attract talent, and know when to buy, build, or outsource the capabilities driving the future of the automotive industry. In an era when new features are delivered anytime, anywhere through software updates, we help companies innovate at the pace of a digital native.

Data is a key element of automotive strategy. It fuels the analytics and AI that help companies operate more efficiently, optimize their product portfolios and supply chains, and better serve customers. To help companies turn data into value, we tap the expertise—and specialized tools—of BCG X, our tech build and design unit. Working together, we take full advantage of new enablers, chief among them being GenAI, which opens the door to hyper-personalized experiences and more effective marketing and sales—and also drives cost reduction in the automotive industry.

Chip shortages, inflation, geopolitical crises, the transition to electric vehicles: now more than ever, the automotive industry needs to respond to change quickly and precisely. By helping companies build resilience, we ensure that disruption doesn’t disrupt business. Our automotive consulting team takes a proactive approach, working with clients to identify sources of risk, reduce waste to free up resources, leverage AI to anticipate roadblocks and manage supply chains, and develop an agile workforce. To make it all work, we imbue the effort with robust change management and best-of-breed digital tools.

The new cornerstones of the automobile business—connected and autonomous vehicles, the transition to electric vehicles, and a drive for sustainability in the automotive industry—are sparking new business models. We work with new entrants to develop the strategies and technical capabilities to operate at scale and realize their potential. At the same time, we help more established companies take inspiration from the new players to self-disrupt, whether through innovative sales models, digital growth, or other paths that drive business value. In all cases, we guide clients in adopting and prioritizing new ways of working.