Disruption or Opportunity for Circular Transition? Emergence of Chinese EVs in the Brainport Region

Dossier	LOG.KIEM.02.003
Status	Lopend
Subsidie	€ 40.000
Startdatum	7 juli 2025
Einddatum	5 juli 2026
Regeling	KIEM Logistiek 2024-2026
Thema's	Duurzaam transport en intelligente logistiek Energietransitie en duurzaamheid Sleuteltechnologieën en duurzame materialen Logistiek Economie

In line with European sustainability goals, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Dutch automotive aftermarket face the challenge of maintaining competitiveness while transitioning to circular business models. These models, supported by EU policies such as the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal, drive innovation in product lifecycle management, recycling, and sustainability.
However, as SMEs adapt to these changes, they must also navigate the growing competition from imported Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), which bring both opportunities and risks. Logistics plays a critical role in this transition, as optimizing supply chains, enhancing resource efficiency, and minimizing waste are essential for achieving circularity.
Will the Chinese car manufacturers move their value chain to Europe? Or will they further localize in aftersales businesses? Either scenario would affect a chain of SMEs in automotive aftermarket.
Focusing on the auto parts SMEs in the Brainport region, this research examines how SMEs can stay competitive by leveraging logistics strategies to support circular practices, and navigate the challenges posed by the influx of Chinese EVs while remaining resilient and adaptable in the automotive aftermarket value chain.
Together with our consortium partners, we help the regional SMEs in the automotive aftermarket with:

1. Mapping out logistical challenges and objectives,
2. Risk mitigation and demand planning,
3. Strategic supply chain development.

Involving Fontys International Business graduation projects on data analysis, this project combines quantitative and qualitative insights to examine the transition of automotive aftermarket to an EV-dominated future. The SMEs in our consortium network are drive to adapt to the evolving landscape by investing in new measures. Through scenario assessment, we help them with scenario strategies in circular transition. For a broader impact, this project brings SMEs, branch and public organizations together and presents shared responsibilities in creating a resilient supply chain.

Eindrapportage

This project investigated how SMEs in the Dutch automotive aftermarket can prepare for the transition to a circular economy while responding to the growing presence of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in Europe.

The research combined policy analysis, stakeholder interviews, workshops, and industry engagement. A key outcome was the analysis of 70 Chinese EV policy documents issued between 2013 and 2025, resulting in a three-layer framework explaining China’s EV development strategy.

The framework shows how domestic market expansion, regulatory consolidation, and international rule-making are closely connected. The findings demonstrate that China’s EV ambitions extend beyond vehicle production and include battery development, energy infrastructure, digital technologies, and supply chain resilience.Interviews with Dutch and Chinese industry stakeholders revealed that the emergence of Chinese EV manufacturers is reshaping the European automotive aftermarket through new technologies, changing supply chains, and increasing dependence on OEM-controlled service networks. The project identified four strategic priorities for SMEs: market forecasting of Chinese EV imports, risk mitigation and demand planning, strengthening access to technological knowledge.

Project results were actively disseminated through stakeholder engagement activities, two professional publications, and an expert paper presented at the Second International Conference on Sustainable Energy Education (SEED 2026). The project strengthened regional cooperation and provided practical insights for SMEs, policymakers, and industry organizations seeking to build resilient, circular, and future-proof automotive supply chains in an increasingly electrified and internationally connected market.