A strategic analysis of the chinese automotive industry: Leveraging scale and resource security for a sustainable future

The Chinese automobile industry is undergoing structural transformation driven by technological disruption, decarbonisation pressures, and geopolitical and social factors. Although China leads global vehicle production and mineral processing, it faces multiple challenges linked to sustainability, labour practices, technological dependence, and declining foreign investment. This research unpacks these issues using an integrated multi-criteria strategic management method, with insights from industry experts, enabling a balanced approach and generating 25 strategies addressing market scale, supply-chain integration, technological autonomy, mineral security, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) expectations, and global competition. The findings lead to the development of an evidence-based roadmap to inform decision-making for policymakers and leaders through an increasingly complex operating environment. Hence, this study contributes by integrating multi-criteria strategic tools with expert insights to produce an evidence-based roadmap for strengthening the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of the Chinese automotive industry.