2026 Automotive Supplier Outlook: What top executives are saying about the year ahead

Over the past year, automotive suppliers have navigated shifting tariff regimes, geopolitical uncertainty, uneven EV demand, and rising expectations around software, sustainability, and resilience. So why are many suppliers still optimistic? To find out, S&P Global Mobility expert Matthew Beecham spoke with 59 senior executives across the global automotive supply chain to understand how they're adapting to this new normal. With disruption now a constant rather than an exception, suppliers are prioritizing resilience through ecosystem partnerships, long-term technology investments, and proactive growth strategies. Instead of waiting for conditions to stabilize, they're rethinking how and where to compete. In this episode of Fuel for Thought, Matthew joins our host Guido Vildozo to unpack the key takeaways from these conversations—and what supplier sentiment signals for OEMs, investors, and policymakers right now. Speakers: Matthew Beecham, AutoTechInsight Research Manager, S&P Global Mobility Guido Vildozo, Associate Director, Consulting, S&P Global Mobility (Host)