Threatening Factors to the German Car Manufacturers and Levers to Counteract

Abstract

All industries are driven by changes in technologies, business models and processes. An appropriate response to counteract is a mandatory requirement to survive. Strong signals can be detected for the German car manufacturers, which indicate a radical technological and structural change. These changes represent a bunch of threatening impacts for the existing business model. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the visibility of threatening factors. This is remarkable, because the car manufacturing industry contributes about 12 percent to German GDP and thus it is one of the most considerable industries. The thesis of this paper assumes that the existing business model is endangered. The question of research examines the influencing factors on the current business eco systems (BES) in this industry. The strategic analysis will disclose the various and complex impact factors. Methodologically, theoretical, analytical and empirical approaches are used. Research on selected literature aligned at current national and international guidelines leads to a stable basis for the research. Statistical data, topical literature, surveys, and logical conclusions will lead to justified arguments. The scientific purpose of this paper is to analyze the threats to the business system and interrelated BES in order to reveal and direct the imperative transformation process.