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Comparing Exporting Competitiveness in the EV ERA: Determinants of RCA and REC Among Major Car Exporters

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The global shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) may alter the competitiveness of automobile-exporting countries. This study measures revealed comparative advantage (RCA) and relative export competitiveness (REC) and examines their determinants for 10 major automobile-exporting countries from 2001 to 2022. The results show that Mexico, Germany, Japan, and Republic of Korea have strong automobile export competitiveness, Thailand and the United States show moderate competitiveness, while China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia record lower RCA and REC values. The regression results indicate that reported EV production status is positively associated with both RCA and REC. Physical capital per worker and labor productivity are also positively associated with competitiveness, while automobile production growth is negatively associated with both indicators. These findings suggest that automobile export competitiveness during the EV transition may depend not only on participation in EV production but also on capital intensity, labor productivity, production efficiency, product quality, and integration into export markets. Policy efforts should therefore support EV-related capabilities while also improving productivity, quality upgrading, and global value-chain integration.

Source: World Electric Vehicle Journal

DOI: 10.3390/wevj17070338

Authors: Wanvilai Chulaphan, Jau-Rong Chen, Rujinan Koonwandee, Jorge Fidel Barahona

Institutions: Maejo University, Ming Chi University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Global Trade and Competitiveness

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,689