Time for a Model Change: Re-engineering the Global Automotive Industry

by Graeme P. Maxton, John Wormald

Overview

The automotive industry ranks among the most significant business phenomena of the 20th century and remains vitally important today, accounting for almost 11% of the GDP of North America, Europe and Japan and one in nine jobs. Although its products have had a fundamental impact on modern society in economic and social terms, the industry has found it hard to adjust to contemporary conditions and is thus no longer esteemed in capital markets. Riven with internal contradictions that inhibit reform, it now faces a stark choice between years of strife or radical change. Highlighting the challenges and opportunities that exist for managers, legislators, financial institutions and potential industry entrants, this book is a wake-up call for those who work in the automotive industry. Most of all, it gives us all cause to reflect on the value of mobility, today and tomorrow. Graeme Maxton is director of AutoPolis, a firm that specializes in the structures and dynamics of the world automotive industry and helps clients position themselves for profitable growth. He is responsible for its activities in Asia and since 1992, has been closely affiliated with the Economist Newspaper Group and chairs all of The Economist's automotive industry conferences throughout the world. He writes for Business China, Business Asia, and various other Group publications, as well as for numerous newspapers throughout Europe and Asia. He is also a television, radio, and press commentator on the industry. Maxton and Wormald were co-authors of Driving Over a Cliff? Business Lessons from the World's Car Industry (Addison Wesley, 1994), which was nominated for the Financial Times Best Book about Business Award. John Wormald is a director and co-founder of Autopolis. He has worked in and for the automotive industry for over 25 years. He advises vehicle manufacturers, component suppliers, distribution and service companies, and financial and government institutions, with a particular emphasis on the downstream distribution and service sectors of the industry. He regularly lectures about the industry, speaks at industry conferences, writes for automotive and general publications, and is quoted and interviewed in the media. He is a co-author of Driving Over a Cliff?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521837156
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/04/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	294
Product dimensions:	7.09(w) x 10.04(h) x 0.94(d)

About the Author

Graeme P. Maxton is Programme Director, Economist Conferences, Contributing Editor, Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) and a Director of autoPOLIS Strategy Consultants. He contributes regularly to a variety of Economist Newspaper Group publications and is author of the EIU's World Car Forecasts, The Emerging Markets of Asia-Pacific and Asia-Pacific: after the Crisis. He is also co-author (with John Wormald) of the best-selling Driving Over a Cliff? Business Lessons from the World's Car Industry, 1994.

John Wormald is a Director of autoPOLIS Strategy Consultants and works throughout the automotive industry. He regularly contributes to the business and automotive press and is the co-author (with Graeme P. Maxton) of the best-selling Driving Over a Cliff? Business Lessons from the World's Car Industry, 1994.

Table of Contents

1. From automania to maturity: in the main markets at least; 2. The problems that can be fixed: dealing with noxious emissions, traffic accidents and congestion; 3. The global resource challenges: energy and space; 4. A global industry: the changing international order; 5. The supplier industry: the catalyst for the profound changes to come; 6. The downstream sales and service sector: the coming revolution; 7. When the numbers don't add up: an industry that doesn't earn its keep; 8. Choosing a future for the automotive industry; 9. Time for a model change.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"The automobile industry is so large and so important that it impacts global politics as well as the global economy. Wormald and Maxton provide an iconoclastic analysis of this industry that is provocative, timely, and well-researched. The warnings they give to the leaders of this industry and the politicians seeking to regulate it need to be taken seriously." Lee Branstetter, Daniel Stanton Associate Profesor of Business, Columbia Business School

"...poses some fundamental questions about the continuing validity of the economic model that drives the automobile industry. No vehicle manufacturer can afford to ignore the issues that Wormald and Maxton identify." Anthony Millington, Director General, European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Tokyo Office

"...a powerful diagnosis and an imaginative blueprint for reform. The industry and everyone who depends on it would do well to take notice." Professor Geoffrey Owen, London School of Economics

"A must read for everyone associated or interested in the auto industry, with important lessons for all auto companies, especially in the emerging markets with aspirations of becoming regional or global players." Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons

"...valuable reading for anyone either engaged in or observing this huge industry. Let us hope that this book will be a catalyst to develop new ideas to move toward a new model for an exciting and more productive new direction." Richard Best, GKN Driveline

"...provocative, timely, and well-researched. The warnings they give to the leaders of this industry and the politicians seeking to regulate it need to be taken seriously." Lee Branstetter, Daniel Stanton Associate Profesor of Business, Columbia Business School

"I found the book a stimulating and thought-provoking read, even for (especially for) an industry insider. It is most unusual for the generally unappreciated downstream end of the automotive business to be even considered within an analysis of the industry, let alone be recognized as the real driver of industry profitability. The aftermarket, in particular, remains a sprawling, fragmented industry, primitive by the standards of modern retailing. The authors suggest some of the opportunities that could be realised from the rationalisation of this sector." John McCormack, Vice-President European Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul

Editorial Reviews

"The automobile industry is so large and so important that it impacts global politics as well as the global economy. Wormald and Maxton provide an iconoclastic analysis of this industry that is provocative, timely, and well-researched. The warnings they give to the leaders of this industry and the politicians seeking to regulate it need to be taken seriously." Lee Branstetter, Daniel Stanton Associate Profesor of Business, Columbia Business School

"...poses some fundamental questions about the continuing validity of the economic model that drives the automobile industry. No vehicle manufacturer can afford to ignore the issues that Wormald and Maxton identify." Anthony Millington, Director General, European Automobile Manufacturers Association, Tokyo Office

"...a powerful diagnosis and an imaginative blueprint for reform. The industry and everyone who depends on it would do well to take notice." Professor Geoffrey Owen, London School of Economics

"A must read for everyone associated or interested in the auto industry, with important lessons for all auto companies, especially in the emerging markets with aspirations of becoming regional or global players." Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons

"...valuable reading for anyone either engaged in or observing this huge industry. Let us hope that this book will be a catalyst to develop new ideas to move toward a new model for an exciting and more productive new direction." Richard Best, GKN Driveline

"...provocative, timely, and well-researched. The warnings they give to the leaders of this industry and the politicians seeking to regulate it need to be taken seriously." Lee Branstetter, Daniel Stanton Associate Profesor of Business, Columbia Business School

"I found the book a stimulating and thought-provoking read, even for (especially for) an industry insider. It is most unusual for the generally unappreciated downstream end of the automotive business to be even considered within an analysis of the industry, let alone be recognized as the real driver of industry profitability. The aftermarket, in particular, remains a sprawling, fragmented industry, primitive by the standards of modern retailing. The authors suggest some of the opportunities that could be realised from the rationalisation of this sector." John McCormack, Vice-President European Aftermarket, Federal-Mogul

From the Publisher