An Integrative Research on Chinese Automobile Industry in Three Economic Blocs: Focusing on Technological Learning, Architecture, and Cluster Approach

중국 3대 경제권 자동차 산업에 대한 연구: 기술학습, 아키텍처, 클러스터를 중심으로

This study investigates the main characteristics of Chinese automobile industry based on the technology learning, architecture theory and cluster. As a case study sample, we chose three most representative automobile firms from three main cities in China, FAW from northern part of China, SAIC from middle part of China, and BYD from southern part of China. According to the research findings, FAW has equipped self-production ability in virtue of political support but felled behind in future transportation due to lack of convergence with local cluster. In case of SAIS, similar phenomenon happened in spite of highest purchasing power of shanghai. BYD has achieved great quantum jump through the aggressive investment strategy in electric vehicle even though there are still many technological learning and experience to be cumulated. Overall, this research extends the current literature on key roles (technological learning, architecture, and cluster features) in the automobile industry growth by suggesting their crucial aspects in knowledge management and strategic planning to a newly emerging market, China, and sheds light on the relationship between regional characteristics and automobile growth.