Title: The evolution of relationships between car manufacturers and France-based component suppliers in the context of deep crisis and accelerating technical change

Authors: Jean-Jacques Chanaron

Addresses: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique – Grenoble Ecole de Management, 12, rue Pierre Sémard – BP 127, F-38003 Grenoble Cedex 01, France

Abstract: After the 2008 to 2009 crisis, suppliers and subcontractors to the French automotive industry were in a depressed situation and a consolidation by function seemed to be the only option to ensure the survival of small- and medium-sized suppliers. Relationships between OEMs and suppliers have not changed significantly and satisfactorily for the vast majority of suppliers and subcontractors: a rebalancing in favour of suppliers appears inevitable and urgent. Even if the prospects of major technological changes are still distant, they represent real opportunities for development over time but also a threat to businesses in the traditional mechanical sector. OEMs and suppliers should be prepared to innovate to meet these challenges but also because innovation is the best source of competitiveness and therefore survival.

Keywords: automotive suppliers; automobile industry; component suppliers; purchasing; automotive supply chains; supply chain management; SCM; manufacturer-supplier relationships; France; technical change; automotive subcontractors; OEMs; financial crisis; innovation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2013.056859

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2013 Vol.13 No.4, pp.320 - 337

Published online: 28 Nov 2013 *

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