This paper analyses the transition strategies of Italian and European companies in the 2013-18 period, measuring the number of patent applications for low-emission technologies and firms' merger and acquisition operations.
The number of patent applications submitted by Italian companies for low-emission technologies has increased significantly, compared with the European average. However, they have only recently developed the skills necessary to manufacture electric motors, mainly through internal innovation. European companies, on the other hand, have been building on consolidated processes, intensifying merger and acquisition operations. These different strategies could lead to the Italian automotive sector lagging behind the rest of Europe, thus jeopardizing future market shares of domestic companies.
