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Design+

REVIEW ARTICLE
Transformation of the automotive industry: A

systematic literature review on the technological
drivers of transformation

1
Bernhard Koelmel 1,2,3 *, Tanja Brysch , and Rebecca Bulander 1
1 Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Pforzheim
University, Pforzheim, Germany
2 Chair Strategic Innovation and Technology Management, ISM International School of Management,
Paris, France
3 Department of Information Systems and Analytics, McCoy College of Business, Texas State
University, San Marcos, United States of America

Abstract

The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by
technological innovations, such as electrification, autonomous driving systems,
digitalization, and the shift toward mobility services. This transformation is further
intensified by new competition from the IT sector, industrial policy objectives,
particularly from China, and the increasing automation and connectivity of
*Corresponding author: manufacturing processes. In addition, environmental regulations, evolving
Bernhard Koelmel consumer preferences, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) play a crucial
(bernhard.koelmel@hs-pforzheim.
de) role in shaping the industry’s future. This study aims to identify and analyze the key
technological drivers contributing to the transformation of the automotive sector.
Citation: Koelmel B, Brysch T, Using a systematic literature review based on the approach outlined by vom Brocke
Bulander R. Transformation
of the automotive industry: A et al., a structured and reproducible analysis of the relevant literature is conducted.
systematic literature review The findings indicate that technological drivers, such as connectivity, autonomous
on the technological drivers driving, electrification, and digitalization are crucial to this transformation.
of transformation. Design+.
2025;2(1):4445. Furthermore, supporting technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and big data
doi: 10.36922/dp.4445 analytics are critical enablers of this transformation. A deep understanding of these
Received: August 5, 2024 drivers is essential for industry stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to
anticipate future developments, address emerging challenges and develop effective
Revised: February 18, 2025 strategies for sustainable and competitive mobility solutions. This study contributes
Accepted: February 21, 2025 to the ongoing discourse on transformation and its implications for the future of the
Published online: March 11, 2025 automotive industry.
Copyright: © 2025 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article Keywords: Automotive industry; Transformation; Technological drivers
distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons
AttributionNoncommercial License,
permitting all non-commercial use,
distribution, and reproduction in any 1. Introduction
medium, provided the original work
is properly cited. Mobility, transportation, and logistics are fundamental to modern society and are
Publisher’s Note: AccScience currently undergoing a paradigm shift that presents both opportunities and challenges.
Publishing remains neutral with At the center of this development is the global automotive industry, including established
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional leaders such as Germany, Japan, the U.S., and France, as well as emerging players, such
affiliations. as China, which is rapidly expanding its influence. The transformation in this industry

Volume 2 Issue 1 (2025) 1 doi: 10.36922/dp.4445