As we step into early 2026, the automotive industry finds itself under mounting pressure from its upstream supply chain. A historic scarcity of memory chips has emerged, coupled with intense competition for vital metal raw materials like copper and silver. Moreover, the persistent instability in chip supply continues to ripple through the industry, with cost pressures being steadily transferred along the supply chain. This confluence of factors not only puts the profitability resilience of automotive companies to the test but also exerts a profound influence on the supply chain configuration and the competitive dynamics within the automotive sector.
