Abstract

Global automotive supply chains have experienced severe disruption on their performance due to the prolonging Covid-19 pandemic. One of the main causes behind the severity of this impact is complex and long supply chain network of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Since automotive supply chains consist of various levels(tiers) of component suppliers located worldwide, it is becoming more vulnerable to any uncertain disruptive events like natural disasters, man-made disasters and infectious diseases like SARS, Covid-19 etc. Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing may be a viable platform for shortening the automotive supply chain by replacing the complex subassemblies of various parts into a single integrated structure that comprises the various feature of subassemblies. Supply chain transformation using AM can be effectively achievable if the AM utilization will be considered during sourcing stage itself. In this regard, various challenges faced by OEMs in the implementation of AM based supply chain for post Covid-19 scenario is analyzed by means of a survey among industrial and academic practitioners.  Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) technique is used for making the analysis of those identified barriers. The outcome of the results will be useful to the decision makers of OEMs in implementing AM for post Covid-19 scenario.