After a period of uncertainly, the global automotive industry has emerged cautiously optimistic. The collapse that preceded the revival seemed exacerbated by reactive planning and increasingly shorter-term thinking. Therefore, sustaining this new period of growth will require the auto industry to become more adept at anticipating the future.

The ability to identify emerging trends is a key dimension of sustainability leadership. Leaders must question assumptions and pay more attention to long-term trends than short-term fluctuations. To anticipate those trends, they also must listen to the weak signals often coming from the margins.

Three trends to watch

Global manufacturers are operating in an environment with ever-increasing complexities. Making sense of these will require a focus on sustainability issues that will have a significant effect on the business. Some of the priority trends for the industry include:

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