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Mirroring in production? Early evidence from the scale-up of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Author

Listed:
  • Marc Alochet

    (i3-CRG - Centre de recherche en gestion i3 - X - École polytechnique - Université Paris-Saclay - I3 - Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • John Paul Macduffie

    (Department of Management [University of Pennsylvania])

  • Christophe Midler

    (i3-CRG - Centre de recherche en gestion i3 - X - École polytechnique - Université Paris-Saclay - I3 - Institut interdisciplinaire de l’innovation - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

The mirroring hypothesis is central to modularity theory, positing isomorphism between technical interdependencies of a product and organizational arrangements. When a product's design becomes more modular, a full mirroring response would change both its manufacturing and its supply chain. We evaluate this prediction for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), observing whether automakers have mirrored the modular BEV architecture in either internal production processes, external sourcing arrangements, or both. Our data from 19 automakers show that, to date, BEVs are manufactured in their assembly plants alongside conventional internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). New automakers with fully BEV plants utilize essentially the same production process. Furthermore, automakers make—or ally to make—key Electric Vehicle (EV) systems, rather than outsourcing them. We discuss the implications of this partial mirroring for modularity theory and ask whether these arrangements will persist once BEV sales surpass ICEVs.

Suggested Citation

  • Marc Alochet & John Paul Macduffie & Christophe Midler, 2023. "Mirroring in production? Early evidence from the scale-up of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)," Post-Print hal-03927381, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-03927381
    DOI: 10.1093/icc/dtac028
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-03927381
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    Cited by:

    1. Christophe Midler & Marc Alochet, 2023. "When regulations shape the future of an industry, the case of the high voltage battery," Post-Print hal-04303575, HAL.

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