Strategische Allianzen in der Automobilindustrie: Steigerung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit durch Unterneh

The automotive industry is facing enormous challenges. Volatile financial markets, stagnating real incomes, and uncertain buyers are affecting car demand and leading to fierce price and discount wars among some manufacturers. Saturated sales markets in the triad of the USA, Western Europe, and Japan, the market entry of Asian manufacturers, overcapacity, and shortened product life cycles are increasing cost pressure on automotive companies and intensifying competition. A key tool for enhancing the competitiveness of automotive companies is strategic alliances. Strategic alliances among original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) include joint research, development, and production activities, for example. This study addresses how strategic alliances between car manufacturers can be successfully designed and managed. Initially, the key advantages and risks of strategic partnerships are explained and illustrated with practical examples from the automotive industry. It then discusses how strategic alliances can help tackle the challenges faced by the automotive industry. The study identifies critical success factors in the respective phases of a strategic alliance and examines them through current case studies. Based on these success factors, concrete recommendations for the management of alliances between car manufacturers are provided.