The article considers the specifics of the current production chains of the automotive industry, the degree of specialisation, assessment of changes in geographical disparities in the production of goods by levels of commodity movement in the European Union. The hypothesis of the research concerns with the proportional and equitable participation of individual countries and regions in the European automotive industry in terms of deep regional integration. The methodology presented for modelling the production chains of the automotive industry confirms the general hypothesis of the research. Indeed, the production of simple nodes has become more evenly distributed across Europe. The research reveals a decrease in geographical disparities in the production of complex integrated modules. Finally, it resulted in the increased concentration of the main assembly facilities in a limited number of locations. The results obtained indicate a more even development of Europe's knowledge-intensive production base against the background of deepening integration processes. Those are useful in the development of measures to support the automotive industry in the BRICS and EAEU. It is important to support the expansion of the geography of integrated modules production to contribute the strengthening of the technological base of the regional association member countries.
Sapir et al. (Sun,) studied this question.