Building Resilient Supply Chains in a Post-Pandemic World: Lessons from the Automotive Industry
Abstract
The global supply chain shocks triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic exposed fundamental vulnerabilities in the "Just-in-Time" (JIT) manufacturing model, particularly within the automotive sector. This qualitative case study examines how the industry is restructuring its logistics networks in the wake of these disruptions, with a specific focus on the complex supply chains required for the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs). Through an analysis of industry-wide trends and generalized corporate strategies, this paper identifies a paradigm shift from efficiency-centric models to resilience-centric models. Key findings highlight the strategic importance of regionalization, the diversification of critical mineral sourcing for batteries, and the integration of digital twin technologies for risk visibility. The study concludes that building resilience requires not only operational agility but also significant policy support to foster domestic capacity in critical sectors.
Keywords
Supply chains, Automotive Industry, ESG
References
- 1. Anderson, J., & Wu, L. (2023). The end of Just-in-Time? Rethinking lean manufacturing in a volatile world. Journal of Oper-ations Management, 68(4), 312-329.
- 2. Bauer, F., & Hanning, R. (2022). Battery logistics: The new bottleneck in the electric vehicle revolution. Supply Chain Man-agement Review, 26(2), 45-58.
- 3. Choi, T. Y., Rogers, D., & Vakil, B. (2020). Coronavirus is a wake-up call for supply chain management. Harvard Business Review, 98(2), 2-9.
- 4. Davis, K., & Miller, P. (2024). Digital twins and the future of supply chain visibility. California Management Review, 66(1), 88-104.
- 5. European Commission. (2023). Strategic autonomy in the automotive sector: A policy framework. Brussels: EU Publications.
- 6. Gereffi, G. (2020). Global value chains in the post-COVID-19 world. Journal of International Business Policy, 3(4), 387-401.
- 7. Kim, S., & Park, H. (2025). Vertical integration in the EV era: Why automakers are becoming miners. Strategic Management Journal, 46(3), 567-589.
- 8. Shih, W. C. (2020). Global supply chains in a post-pandemic world. Harvard Business Review, 98(5), 82-89.
- 9. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2022). Review of maritime transport 2022. New York: United Nations.
- 10. Zhang, Y., & Li, X. (2021). Resilience through diversification: A study of the semiconductor crisis in the automotive industry. International Journal of Production Economics, 238, 108176.