Evolution of Cost Drivers in Auto Industry

Motor vehicle industry’s costs expanded at 6% CAGR during 2010-2015, with intra-industry and labour being the two largest cost drivers. Intra-industry costs in China accounted for nearly 50% of total costs in 2015 driven by investments into new car production capacity. Meanwhile Europe continued to have the largest labour costs globally. Despite high cost operating environment, US offers the highest profits among Top 5 motor vehicle producers, thanks to modernisation of the US auto industry.