Automotive regions in transition

Author(s)
Michaela Trippl, Simon Baumgartinger-Seiringer, Elena Goracinova, David A. Wolfe
Abstract

The advent of ‘connected and automated vehicles’ (C/AV) is posing substantial transformation challenges for traditional automotive regions across the world. This article seeks to examine both conceptually and empirically how automotive regions reconfigure their industrial and support structures to promote new path development in the C/AV field. Drawing on recent conceptual advances at the intersection of evolutionary economic geography and innovation system studies, we develop an analytical framework that casts light on how regional preconditions provide platforms for asset modification that underpin different routes of transformation. We distinguish between a reorientation route and an upgrading route. The framework is applied to a comparative analysis of industrial path development and system reconfiguration towards C/AV in two automotive regions, namely Ontario (Canada) and the Austrian automotive triangle.

Organisation(s)
Department of Geography and Regional Research
External organisation(s)
University of Toronto
Journal
Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space
Volume
53
Pages
1158-1179
No. of pages
22
ISSN
0308-518X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X20987233
Publication date
08-2021
Peer reviewed
Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
507026 Economic geography
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Environmental Science (miscellaneous), Geography, Planning and Development
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/54fcec89-f6b9-4db0-be08-b33ba7ae371d