BACK TO CONTENTS
EDITORIAL
FOCUS 2
CONNECTIVITY OPENS UP THE MARKET
W
elcome to the fi rst issue of FOCUS ON Automotive, our new magazine developed especially for the automotive sector.
This is an extraordinary time for the industry. Sales are bottoming out in Europe, and the premium end of the market is growing strongly on the back of demand from middle classes in the emerging markets. But, as we highlight in this issue, the automotive sector is on the cusp of a revolution that could fundamentally change the way that manufacturers, suppliers and retailers interact.
Connected cars have been steadily rising up the agenda. The relationship between car manufacturers and their customers traditionally ended at the point when it rolled off the production line. Connected cars or Machine-to-Machine technology (M2M) – the wireless connection of machines – has the potential to change all that. It will enable two-way communication between manufacturer and customer for the fi rst time, changing aftersales forever.
We are talking about a car that will tell its manufacturer when a fault is imminent and enable a service appointment to be booked while driving. It also enables the sale of ‘optional extras’ after the original sale, perhaps to coincide with the owner’s birthday. It also allows the provision of services such as music streaming or news tailored to your preferences. This fl ow of rich and valuable information brings enormous opportunities for manufacturers to supply add-on services. The question is, will manufacturers be ready to capitalise on this technology?
Connectivity opens up the market, but not just to manufacturers. Many others, from multinational insurers to teenage app developers, will want to get in on the act. Manufacturers have not needed a sophisticated customer relationship management system in the past, but will now need to adapt quickly.
© 2013 KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and a member fi rm of the KPMG network of independent member fi rms affi liated with KPMG International Cooperative, a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.
The sector is undergoing a revolution and it will take some smart thinking to stay ahead of the game, as well as a willingness to share and seek out new ideas. As we also explain in this issue, our recent Global Manufacturing Survey showed an increasing trend for manufacturers to collaborate with partners in the supply chain, particularly in the fi eld of R&D. We are moving into a new era and I hope you fi nd the ideas explored in this issue thought-provoking as well as informative.
Many thanks,
John Leech Head of UK Automotive KPMG LLP (UK)
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35