2024 Automotive Trends

Dykema’s 2nd Annual Automotive Trends Report has taken the pulse of industry leaders—from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers to seasoned executives and key decision-makers—to identify the legal landscape of this space and the trends that are shaping the road ahead. 

This year, Dykema expanded the scope of its survey, probing respondents on their top concerns across 12 key areas:

• Supply Chain,
• Autonomous Vehicles (AVs),
• Cybersecurity and Data Privacy,
• Electric Vehicles (EVs),
• Risk and Litigation,
• Government Policy,
• Intellectual Property (IP),
• Government Investigations and Compliance,
• Financial Distress and Bankruptcy,
• Labor and Employment,
• Antitrust, and
• Dealerships.

The shadow of Big Tech and its impact on the legal landscape in the auto industry looms large in this year’s report. Electric and autonomous vehicles continue to hold center stage, with respondents echoing last year’s concerns about the potential legal ramifications of these advancements, such as product liability and other litigation focused on new technologies. Additionally, policymakers—spurred by both environmental imperatives and consumer demand—are paving the way for increased regulation and incentives, fostering an ecosystem where EVs and AVs can truly take off.

Beyond the gleaming chrome of these technological stars, the survey reveals potential roadblocks that could throw a wrench in the industry’s smooth ride. Antitrust scrutiny tightens its grip, particularly on collaborations and investments in EV and AV technologies. The workforce landscape remains complex post-strike, with labor and employment laws undergoing dynamic shifts, impacting non-compete agreements and overtime regulations. And supply chain disruptions continue to linger, a constant reminder of the fragilities within our interconnected world.

Click here to view the full report.