Title: Transitions in tension: interpreting and adapting the twin transition in a peripheral Toyota plant

Authors: Adriana Martínez Martínez; Jorge Carrillo

Addresses: ENES León UNAM, Boulevard UNAM 2011, Col. Predio El Saucillo y El Potrero, CP 37689, León, Guanajuato, Mexico ' El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Km 18.5 Escénica, Tijuana-Ensenada, Tijuana BC, CP 22560, Mexico

Abstract: This article analyses how the twin transition, understood as the convergence of digitalisation and sustainability, is articulated and implemented at Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato (TMMGT), a subsidiary located in Mexico. Based on 23 in-depth interviews conducted between 2021 and 2025, it adopts a qualitative case study approach with thematic analysis. Findings show that the twin transition unfolds in a fragmented and uneven manner, shaped by institutional constraints, local capabilities, and global innovation asymmetries. While the plant has advanced in automation, machine learning, and collaboration with universities, strategic decisions on electrification and disruptive technologies remain external. The study identifies seven thematic axes illustrating how innovation, co-creation with suppliers, and gender diversity are addressed within a context of limited autonomy. It concludes that the twin transition in peripheral subsidiaries is a political and organisational process, where global strategies are locally interpreted and adapted, contributing novel empirical evidence.

Keywords: twin transition; automotive industry; digitalisation; sustainability; Toyota; Mexico.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2026.154713

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2026 Vol.26 No.1, pp.64 - 84

Received: 04 Nov 2025
Accepted: 19 Nov 2025
Published online: 10 Jul 2026 *

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