Dominating innovation, the automotive sector is emerging from the shadows, representing almost half of patent requests in 2023, according to the rankings of the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI).
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Towards a peak in automotive innovation in 2023
According to the INPI, the year 2023 is marked by a notable improvement for French companies particularly involved in innovation and new technologies. The number of patents filed increased by 5.6% compared to the previous year, totaling 15,566 requests listed. The automotive sector stood out strongly, claiming almost half of the patent filings (46%). In the hit parade of the most innovative industries, the field of energy, digital and telecoms, health follow the automobile with 12%, 10% and 8% respectively.
The major players in the automobile industry on a global scale
Jean-Marc Chery, president of STMicroelectronics, testifies “Innovation in the automotive sector has become a catalyst for growth, inviting companies to redouble their efforts at the R&D level in order to remain competitive.” The Stellantis group, the result of the merger of PSA and Fiat Chrysler, is at the top of the most innovative companies with nearly 1,542 patents, or almost 10% of filings in 2023. The automotive sector is not only dominated by Stellantis, because Valeo, Safran, Renault and Michelin are also positioned in the Top 10.
Innovate and conquer
Each company mentioned above has dedicated a large part of its capital to specific innovations. Stellantis stands out in two main aspects: propulsion technology for hybrid and electric cars and driver assistance systems. Valeo, third in the list, is known for its advances in lighting systems and driver assistance technologies. For Safran, second in the ranking, Renault and Michelin, sixth and tenth respectively, their innovations remained mostly shrouded in secrecy.
Innovation and the future of the automobile
More than half of the patent applications filed by the automotive sector concerned technologies related to batteries for electric vehicles or driver assistance systems. These figures could reflect the abandonment of combustion vehicles for more environmentally friendly vehicles or the introduction of autonomous cars on the market in the future. It is uncertain to predict which technologies will dominate the automotive industry in the coming years, since the sector is constantly evolving. This predominance of the automotive sector in patent filings in 2023, however, prompts the question: will the car of tomorrow be 100% made in France?
