Hi guys.

I am doing an investment decision project at the minute in uni.

It was from 1996 and is about retro fit reversing systems.

I am having trouble finding data from this far back. I am basically looking to examine trends in factory fitted trim before this date. ie were more and more cars being fitted with electric windows, sunroofs etc. I know they were just cant find figures.

Also, do large car manufacturers tend to buy in electrical stuff or will they make it in house?

Any pointers appreciated.

Thanks.

They tend to buy in electrical systems. There is quite a push for key strategic suppliers to attain Tier 1 plus status. For example instead of a company supplying a blank dashboard they would now be preferred to supply a complete assembly with clocks and HVAC systems already assembled.

Do a search for TRW - as an example t you will see the vast range of electrical systems they produce.

Calsonic make HVAC and exhaust systems (i know the Shildon plant supply to Nissan Sunderland).

Magna Kansei do full dash assemblies i believe.


The OEM can benefit from reduced direct supply base. The suppliers can benefit from increase strategic alliance but they also take on the warranty claims from the OEM for the components or systems they buy in.


I used to work for NSSE (NSK Steering Systems Europe). I worked on a Merceded E-class steering project. Traditionally these were made by a Daimler Chrysler company - then dual sourced. What iam trying to say here is that whilst they buy in a lot of systems it is not unusual to find they own companies that make bits for the car assembly plants.

Also do a search for Bosch - huge company with massive automotive portfolio.

Hope this helps.

Sorry cant help with the assembly plant trends. I do recall seeing such data some time ago but cant for the life of me remember where. I wonder if SMMT could help?

[Edited on 21/4/06 by DarrenW]

top banana. It all helps. Cheers.

Here is SMMT link

http://www.smmt.co.uk/home.cfm?CFID=2296111&CFTOKEN=11313017

They are a very large organisation in the Automotive world. I cant think of any UK based OEM or supplier who wont have some links into it. Huge source of data. I dare bet they get a lot of enquiries from Universities etc and will have someone to help you. i would even be extremely surprised if your UNi is not a member.

From what Darren said, Calsonic Kansei supply Nissan with the full dash, they have suppliers who supply them the sub assemblies such as HVAC, clock and switchgear, CK put them together in house and send the whole lot to nissan.

Car manufactures dont make alot of the parts them selves. The will press the panels, paint them, put the car together, some cast their own engine blocks, then the rest come in from the suppliers and are put on the car on the assembly line.

Also as Darren said alot of the big parts suppliers were owned by car companies, Delphi was GM, ford had an equivalent, but cant remember who!