Electric vehicles are gaining importance in the automotive industry, due to increasing ranges and decreasing battery costs. Therefore, German automobile producers are forced to adapt their core drivetrain competencies to sustain their competitive advantage in passenger vehicle production. In Germany, the interplay of socio-cultural conditions and lax governmental policy are reasons why German car makers are prioritizing the production of bridging technologies, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles, over battery electric vehicles. Moreover, current German incentive conditions are shown to prioritize the economic feasibility of plug-in hybrid vehicles. The purpose of this paper is to outline the implications, to German automobile producers, of the technological transition from internal combustion vehicles toward battery technology. With the use of a comprehensive literature review, the individual socialcultural factors are identified, and the efficacy of governmental policy highlights the impact on electric vehicle competitiveness and uptake. For automobile producers, the strategic approach to passenger vehicle drivetrains is shifting from internal combustion engines to a diversification of drivetrains in a modularized vehicle design. This will enable a competitive environment between propulsion systems without inhibiting the sales of German producers’ key models.
How German Automobile Manufacturers are Prioritizing Electric Vehicle Technology
2017-09-14
Hochschulschrift
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
DDC: | 629 |
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