The FINANCIAL — A new IBM study estimates that 62 percent of automotive executives believe blockchain will be a disruptive force in the auto industry by 2021. However, the research also finds that only a small percentage of OEMs and suppliers are currently ready for blockchain or have a greater percep
The global data revealed finance, supply chain and mobility services as top areas where blockchain could be beneficial. However, aftersales, the secondary market of the auto industry, concerned with the manufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, also rated high for OEMs in China, Germany and Mexico.
Currently part traceability throughout the lifecycle of a vehicle is very limited, which means counterfeit parts could be used by service centers in some markets. Implementing blockchain-based solutions in the automotive supply chain could solve some of the issues around recalls, fake products and consumer safety.
The report also highlights how blockchain will introduce improvements and operational efficiencies in areas such as financial transactions between ecosystem participants, authenticating access to cars and customer experience and loyalty. It also finds that:
54 percent of executives expect new business models to influence investments in blockchain.
At least 50 percent of the OEM executives in each country believe that blockchain solutions will have a high impact on fleet management services.
55 percent of OEMs and 47 percent of suppliers say implementing blockchain will improve imperfect information in their business networks.
IBM’s research reveals a group of auto pioneers — 15 percent of all those surveyed — that are already forging ahead with blockchain, and many plan to implement their first commercial networks at scale within the next three years.
Organizations like the Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI) are already exploring the use of blockchain to help make mobility safer, more affordable and more widely accepted. Some of MOBI’s initial projects are focusing on secure mobility commerce; usage-based mobility pricing and payments; and vehicle identity, history and usage.
