Special Report N°2/2003

With the advent of new materials, the ongoing rise of electronic systems in cars, and other new technologies such as fuel cells on the horizon, automobile production is in flux. At the same time, suppliers are taking on an ever more substantial role as manufacturers give them a broader brief in both production and R&D – not just in Germany but worldwide. Shorter model development times will also mean more interfacing between suppliers and manufacturers.

This spells both a major entrepreneurial challenge and a golden opportunity for suppliers, including those in the foundry sector. Defending the German automobile industry’s near pole position in the face of tough price competition is a top priority. Other new hurdles include the reformatted financing framework conditions in the wake of the banks' business policy, Basel II and the rating, which put the onus on companies – the majority in the small and medium-size bracket – to provide more transparency vis-à-vis their business status quo.

Against this backdrop, IKB Deutsche Industriebank AG, Düsseldorf, has produced a comprehensive, in-depth study focusing on the current situation and future prospects from the standpoint of suppliers to the automobile industry. The analysis is based on a survey involving over 200 companies whose total sales top EUR 100 billion.

The resulting compilation of all the trends and challenges, both technological and entrepreneurial, was presented at the GIFA exhibition Press Conference.

Further information: Ursula.Forelle@ikb.de