THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY’S TRANSITION TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY THROUGH DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

The importance of the double digital and climate transition is imposed by the realities we are going through. At the European level, this double transition is carefully planned and monitored. The automotive industry is part of the category of the main contributors to economic growth, to the increase in the standard of living, but it is also responsible for the generation of a large amount of waste. Car manufacturers invest around a third of EU spending on research and development, specifically to boost vehicle circularity, taking better account of the increasing complexities and specificities of vehicles, including longevity, durability and repairability. Digitization was quickly introduced by the major car manufacturers, but also by the other actors in the value chain associated with the automotive industry in order to improve their operational efficiency. The article addresses the relevance of a synergy between the Circular Economy-part of ensuring sustainability requirements-and the rapid technological developments manifested in the automotive industry.