What characterises successful technology investments in the automotive sector

The findings of our Global Tech Report 2026 show that most companies in the automotive sector have a positive outlook on technological development: 86 per cent of the executives surveyed expect revenue growth over the next two years, whilst 74 per cent see modern technologies as a key driver of their competitiveness. At the same time, 88 per cent report that outdated processes regularly limit the benefits of technology investments. This leads to a key insight: in many companies, the implementation and embedding of new, digital processes is still stalling. The study is based on the assessments of executives from the global automotive industry, including OEMs, mobility providers, suppliers and other companies along the automotive value chain.

The data highlights what is currently key to the technological transformation of the automotive industry. Five findings are particularly relevant:

• 82 per cent of executives state that their company’s senior management has confidence in their ability to manage technological change. 
• Among OEMs, the fully scaled deployment of AI and automation is set to rise from 42 per cent to 63 per cent within a year. 
• 90 per cent of mobility providers expect the fully scaled deployment of AI and automation to be achieved within the next twelve months.
• 67 per cent of OEMs intend to expand their data sovereignty audits across their partner networks. 
• 65 per cent plan to build up additional local technological expertise in order to become more independent and resilient

The need for action is particularly evident when it comes to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The study shows that many companies have moved beyond the pilot phase and are increasingly integrating AI into production, engineering, IT and decision-making processes. What matters here is not the number of AI applications a company introduces. What matters is whether the company succeeds in integrating AI sustainably into existing processes and workflows and in initiating successful use cases. Many projects deliver initial successes but remain confined to individual departments. Only when AI is embedded in day-to-day operations and can be deployed across departments does it generate measurable benefits. 

Our study shows that the automotive industry is progressing at different rates when it comes to implementing and deploying new technologies. This becomes particularly clear when comparing traditional OEMs with mobility providers. Whilst 73 per cent of mobility providers systematically align technology initiatives with business plans and financial targets, the figure for OEMs stands at 37 per cent. This suggests that successful companies link technology more closely to value measurement. For decision-makers, this raises a specific question: how can the contribution of technology investments to business success be made measurable? Companies that establish clear criteria in this area and roll out successful applications more quickly across the organisation are likely to increase their productivity more rapidly and respond more flexibly to market changes.