Mobility Global

Global vehicle sales have barely moved compared to 2019. Yet one shift has changed the industry more than any demand cycle, regulation, or technology trend: Chinese OEMs have doubled their share of global sales. For Western automakers, this presents a major competitive threat. In order to compete, Western automakers must move beyond viewing Chinese automakers as low-cost challengers and recognize them as sophisticated global competitors. Read more analysis in our new Fuel for Thought newsletter from Yuriy Lipchynskyi 🇺🇦🇨🇦 and Guido Vildozo, plus download our new in-depth report on Chinese OEM competition 📰

The global auto outlook for 2026 continues to reflect the impact of two pressures: Middle East-driven oil inflation risk and weak Chinese domestic demand. China’s production is being supported by exports, cushioning the impact of softer retail. Our October production forecast update is mostly incremental, with modest upgrades outside China and a small North America trim tied to inventory and downtime. Trade actions and regulatory friction are the key swing factors heading into 2027. Get more analysis with regional updates in our monthly roundup from Mike Wall:

The announcements by Stellantis and JLR at their Investor Days this year shared a common theme: a multi-powertrain strategy, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles all playing central roles in their future product portfolios. This shift in powertrain strategies is already evident in the actions of major global automakers. Virtually every Western OEM that announced an aggressive all-BEV roadmap from 2021 to 2023 has since pivoted toward a hybrid-led multi-powertrain strategy. Read more about the drivers of this shift in our new BriefCASE newsletter by Amit Panday:

Disruption didn't break supply chains. It exposed them. The sourcing models that looked efficient a few years ago are being tested by geopolitical risk, supplier concentration, and market volatility. Leading automotive organizations are already adapting. The question is: are you? Discover the sourcing strategies, emerging trends, and real-world examples shaping procurement decisions in 2026. Download the whitepaper.

Disruption didn't break supply chains. It exposed them. The sourcing models that looked efficient a few years ago are being tested by geopolitical risk, supplier concentration, and market volatility. Leading automotive organizations are already adapting. The question is: are you? Discover the sourcing strategies, emerging trends, and real-world examples shaping procurement decisions in 2026. Download the whitepaper.

Still relying on static forecasts to make strategic decisions? Market conditions can change quickly. Planning processes often don't. Learn how leading automotive organizations are integrating scenario planning into decision-making to evaluate uncertainty, test assumptions, and respond with greater confidence.