Table of Content

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.1. Autonomous vehicles continue to be one of the primary goals for the industry
1.2. Solid-state EV batteries could help solve density problem
1.3. Vehicle light-weighting is a major target for the industry
1.4. Shared mobility could reduce car ownership
1.5. M&A in the automotive industry is a trend that won’t go away

2. AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES CONTINUE TO BE ONE OF THE PRIMARY GOALS FOR THE INDUSTRY
2.1. Autonomous technology attracts a lot of attention
2.1.1. Building automobile brains is the key prerequisite to autonomy
2.1.2. Sensor development is difficult and companies have their own strategies
2.1.3. Computer vision alternatives to LiDAR
2.1.4. Computer chips are fundamental to any new vehicle regardless of autonomy
2.1.5. 5G is believed to be the next step in connectivity development
2.1.6. Rising competition from industry outsiders
2.2. Regulatory issues are paramount
2.3. Technology challenges are significant

3. SOLID-STATE EV BATTERIES COULD HELP SOLVE DENSITY PROBLEM
3.1. Solid State technology is has around for centuries but has yet to be perfected
3.1.1. Benefits of solid-state batteries include size and weight
3.1.2. Challenges for solid-state include mass production issues
3.1.3. Designing for mass production is getting closer
3.1.4. Electric vehicles are the key catalyst for this technology
3.1.5. CO2 and fuel economy are the main market forces driving EVs and therefore battery tech

4. VEHICLE LIGHT-WEIGHTING IS A MAJOR TARGET FOR THE INDUSTRY
4.1. Vehicle mass reduction remains a strategic pillar for the industry
4.2. Some major steps forward have been made by modern manufacturers
4.3. Multiple new models have achieved significant weight reduction
4.4. A number of tactics are used together to achieve weight reduction
4.4.1. Thinner, lighter glazing is a big part of the reduction process, using technology like Gorilla Glass
4.4.2. Increase in plastic and composite use is helping to reduce vehicle weight
4.4.3. Advanced materials have always been used in car design but even more so now
4.4.4. CO2 and fuel economy are one of the main regulatory pushes for the auto industry

5. SHARED MOBILITY COULD REDUCE CAR OWNERSHIP
5.1. Shared mobility takes on multiple forms
5.2. Market size and growth forecasts are very significant
5.3. Service level management is critical to the industry
5.4. Urban level work to reduce congestion will further the industry
5.5. The user level experience has to be excellent in order for service to spread
5.6. Leading players in shared mobility have multiple strategies
5.6.1. Baidu, the Chinese technology giant has long been involved in shared mobility
5.6.2. BlaBlaCar is a leading carpooling service with an aggressive business strategy
5.6.3. Didi Chuxing carries more passengers than any other service
5.6.4. Uber is the big name in ride sharing with profitability issues
5.6.5. Lyft is Uber’s main competition in North America
5.6.6. Waymo is a leading self-driving research company

6. M&A IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
6.1. Dynamic and elongated supply chain creates opportunities
6.2. The need to pursue economies of scale is compelling
6.3. Companies move into position for emerging technologies
6.4. The logic behind selective deals and JVs is strong
6.5. OEMs and tie-ups mean the industry is getting more complex
6.5.1. Renault-Nissan’s Alliance was once a pillar of a new way of doing business
6.5.2. BMW and Daimler have good communication on issues of joint interest
6.5.3. Ford and Volkswagen’s alliance has been more fluid and hasn’t borne fruit at present
6.5.4. Toyota and Suzuki, Toyota has always been keen to use other players for their strengths
6.6. Further big deals are on the cards if the conditions are right
6.6.1. Groupe PSA and Jaguar Land Rover

7. APPENDIX
7.1. Further reading

8. ASK THE ANALYST

9. ABOUT MARKETLINE



List of Figures


Figure 1: The autonomous vehicles technology stack
Figure 2: Lithium Ion batteries versus Solid-State Batteries
Figure 3: Gross bookings of Uber($m)
Figure 4: Leading vehicle manufacturers by volume 2016&2017

 

List of Tables