Globalization in the Automotive Industry–Impact and Trends

Abstract

Since the 1980s, the automotive industry has evolved out of a strong drive towards globalization. With further ongoing globalization, the automotive industry faces even more complex issues across the world, with far reaching consequences for its future position. The current worldwide financial crisis has resulted in Decreasing global market demand Vast production overcapacity Volatile raw material prices In addition, the global automotive companies will enter new markets, thus dealing with new local policies and import regimes that will play both restrictive and enabling roles. Further, the automotive industry must cope with personal mobility, which is becoming increasingly differentiated across the globe. At the same time, the global Automotive Industry must reduce emissions and meet the globally increasing demand of mobility. This chapter, by MBtech Consulting, highlights solutions for automotive OEMs and suppliers to better position their companies in global markets. Global players must develop sustainable products and alternative mobility concepts using Green Technology. Technology and designs must “Fit to the Market” for the fragmented and volatile future automotive markets. Organizations should be prepared to move their company into global competitiveness by adapting processes and tools to meet the new challenges (see Fig. 1).