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Acta Geographica Sinica >

2025 , Vol. 80 >Issue 6: 1620 - 1635

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11821/dlxb202506012

Urban and Regional Development

Spatial organization characteristics and driving mechanisms of new energy vehicles production network: A case study of Tesla Shanghai

  • CHEN Xiaofei , 1, 2 ,
  • HU Yonggui 1, 2 ,
  • CAI Heqian 1, 2 ,
  • MIAO Changhong , 1, 2
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  • 1. Key Research Institute of Yellow River Civilization and Sustainable Development & Yellow River Civilization by Provincial and Ministerial Co-construction of Collaborative Innovation Center, Henan University, Kaifeng 475001, Henan, China
  • 2. Laboratory of Climate Change Mitigation and Carbon Neutrality, Henan University, Zhengzhou 450001, China

Received date: 2024-03-11

  Revised date: 2025-02-05

  Online published: 2025-06-13

Supported by

National Natural Science Foundation of China(42371187)

Philosophy and Social Science Innovation Talent Support Program of Henan Province(2024-CXRC-09)

Excellent Youth Project of Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province(242300421142)

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Abstract

In response to climate change and global environmental crisis, more and more countries have started to pursue a low-carbon economy. With significantly reduced or no tailpipe emissions, new energy vehicles (NEVs) - vehicles that are powered by alternatives to fossil fuels, such as electricity and non-traditional fuels - are gaining popularity and becoming the future of the automotive industry. Using NEV supplier data of Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory (Tesla Shanghai), the paper performed a network analysis based on firm headquarter-subsidiary connections to map out the factory's global production network (GPN), revealed the spatial configuration of the network, and explored the forces driving its formation and development. The research yielded several findings. First, the global production of auto parts for Tesla Shanghai resembles a typical GPN with a core-periphery structure. Tesla Shanghai has established strong high-frequency connections with economic centers (or manufacturing centers with strong R&D capability) located in East Asia, North America, and Europe. Second, within the Tesla Shanghai's GPN, four supply chain systems - smart electronic components, battery and electric drive systems, thermal management systems, and chassis and trim - display varying hierarchical structures. Third, within each of the four supply chain networks, most communities (or subnetworks) span across geographical and administrative boundaries, connecting cities around the world through modular production of auto parts. These communities demonstrate strong internal heterogeneity with an emerging core-periphery structure of network nodes. Using the four explanatory variables of the GPN 2.0 framework (i. e., cost-capability ratio, market imperatives, financial discipline, and risk environment), the paper further analyzed the main factors that shape the highly complex NEVs GPN of Tesla Shanghai from the perspectives of global environment, market demand, technological linkages, and local competitive advantages. The study contributes to the new economic geography literature by providing an interesting case study. The findings of the research provide theoretical insights and practical implications for the innovation and sustainable development of the NEV industry.

Key words： new energy vehicles; global production networks; space organizations; driving mechanisms; Tesla Shanghai

Cite this article

CHEN Xiaofei , HU Yonggui , CAI Heqian , MIAO Changhong . Spatial organization characteristics and driving mechanisms of new energy vehicles production network: A case study of Tesla Shanghai[J]. Acta Geographica Sinica, 2025 , 80(6) : 1620 -1635 . DOI: 10.11821/dlxb202506012

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