Asia Techonomics: Gemeinsam stärker – Japans Autobauer rücken gegen China zusammen
Einstige Rivalen kooperieren und entwickeln gemeinsam Bauteile. Doch im „Team Japan plus“ gibt es auch Chancen für ausländische Hersteller.
Tokyo – The era of tangled cable messes is coming to an end as Japan's automobile industry unites to streamline components. Over 70,000 specifications for cable systems once burdened Japan's suppliers for the seven domestic automakers, a figure that previous Toyota CEO Koji Sato deemed symptomatic. Now, JAMA's President warns that if no changes occur, survival will be at risk.
As head of the Manufacturers' Association, he champions a "Japan Standard" for components that customers seldom see. The goal is for auto manufacturers to collectively define cables, hoses, and steel grades, leaving design and driving feel as purely proprietary elements. Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa praised the idea, acknowledging it may initially appear trivial, but it represents a significant step for an industry in rapid transformation.
Faced with intense competition from China, which is eroding market shares in Southeast Asia, Europe, and even within China itself, the Japanese industry is restructuring itself in a unique manner dubbed "Team Japan plus." This strategic collaboration involves manufacturers working together across groups, distinguishing them from their German counterparts.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
