Strategic options for automotive suppliers in the global market
by Richard Lamming
International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM), Vol. 5, No. 6, 1990

Abstract: The automotive industry is undergoing structural change, driven by technological, economic and commercial forces. The objective of this paper is to investigate this change, its causes and effects, and to suggest possible features of the emerging industry and its principal participants. The results of the research are as follows. The number of major suppliers in Europe will reduce from the present 1500 firms to less than 1000, but a more substantial reduction is not indicated in the immediate future. European suppliers are small by world standards (with the exception of Bosch) and may be expected to grow, organically and by acquisition. European suppliers are not performing at world-class levels, either in terms of quality achievement, or technically. Whilst most participants agree that there will be tier structures within the industry, current purchasing policies do not indicate their formation. The principle of assemblers entrusting significant proportions of the vehicle R&D work to the suppliers is not genuinely accepted by many in the assembly industry. Customer-vendor relationships have improved but are still fragile in many instances. The influence of Japanese suppliers in Europe is small at present but is likely to be a major factor in the next stage of the industry's development.

Online publication date: Mon, 25-May-2009

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