Evaluating Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment Strategies in the EU Automotive Industry: Implications for Developing Countries

The automotive industry is pivotal in shaping sustainable practices due to its significant environmental, economic, and social impacts. This paper investigates Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) Strategies within the European Union (EU) automotive sector and their implications for developing countries. By reviewing the literature, we identified seven LCSA strategies and six key sustainability impact factors: environmental impact, economic feasibility, social benefits, resource efficiency, innovation potential, and regulatory compliance. We employed the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) analysis to evaluate and rank these strategies based on their effectiveness and applicability. The results indicate that while the EU’s advanced regulatory framework and technological capabilities facilitate the adoption of robust LCSA frameworks, developing countries face challenges such as limited infrastructure, financial constraints, and weaker regulatory mechanisms. However, the transfer of knowledge and technology from the EU to developing nations can bridge these gaps, fostering global sustainability in the automotive industry. This study underscores the necessity for tailored LCSA strategy that consider regional differences and encourages collaborative efforts to enhance sustainable practices worldwide. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers aiming to advance sustainability in the automotive sector.