S/B/307. Critical factors behind major shifts in the "geography of production" in the automobile industry over the past three decades

The paper examines the growth and locations of the world automobile industry over the last three decades. Industry's statistics is analysed; the impacts of globalisation on the shifts in the geography of the automobile production and assembling are discussed; the theory of foreign direct investment (FDI) and MNE is reviewed. The business mechanisms of the geographical shifts are considered including outsourcing, off-shoring, lean production, etc.