6.19.2009

JUNE 30 WEBCAST: Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on China's Automotive Industry

BrightTALK, Tuesday, June 30, 2009

14:00 GMT; 10:00AM EST; 10:00PM CHINA

An unprecedented global financial crisis has resulted in the Great Recession of 2009. However, China's continued growth stands in sharp contrast with the sudden contraction of the global auto industry. What is the future of the Chinese auto industry? As Chinese OEMs attempt to integrate foreign acquisitions into their operations, what challenges and risks do they face? What role will China play in the restructuring of the global auto industry?

You will hear from Bill Russo, the Founder and President of Synergistics Limited, who will be presenting live from China - the epicenter of the revolution occurring in the global auto industry.



6.17.2009

China's Next Revolution: Transforming the Global Automotive Industry

By Bill Russo
President, Synergistics Limited

June 18, 2009

Summary:

Henry Ford’s introduction of the moving assembly line in 1908 changed the world: making automotive transportation affordable for the masses, accelerating the industrial revolution, and shaping the distribution of economic wealth. While the world has witnessed great technological advances over the past century, the automobile industry still resembles that which was pioneered over a century ago. Simply stated, the crisis faced by today’s automotive industry has a lot to do with the application of a "one size fits all" 20th-century industrial paradigm to a 21st century global environment. This paper describes how the rapidly expanding China market has become the catalyst driving the transformation of the business model and technological underpinnings of the global auto industry.

Background

I was recently asked whether Henry Ford would be “turning over in his grave because of what is happening to the American car manufacturers”. My response was that he would probably be more disturbed by the fact that the “mass production” business model has only changed incrementally in over 100 years since he introduced it. Ford’s introduction of the moving assembly line in 1908 changed the world: making automotive transportation affordable for the masses, accelerating the industrial revolution, and shaping the distribution of economic wealth.

While it is true that there have been significant technological advances as well as paradigm shifts in the way to organize automotive supply chains and assembly operations, one cannot deny the fact that the car today is still propelled by an internal combustion engine, and is assembled in a factory environment that would not seem very different to Mr. Ford. While the world has witnessed great technological advances over the past century, the automobile industry still resembles that which was pioneered over a century ago. Simply stated,
the crisis faced by today’s automotive industry has a lot to do with the application of a "one size fits all" 20th-century industrial paradigm to a 21st century global environment.

It is a lesson of history that all great dynasties must eventually be replaced. This lesson also applies to business models: they are only relevant for a finite period of time and must then be transformed or replaced. Ford’s automotive “Mass Production” paradigm was the transformational shift of the 20
th century – helping to spark an era of mobility and economic development previously unrivaled in history. It is a testament to its power that it has only been incrementally updated in this time frame. The most notable recent adaptation is the “Toyota Production System” and it’s principles of lean manufacturing. However, many forces are driving the transformation of the global automotive business model.
The first article of this series entitled The Coming Structural Realignment of China's Automotive Sector described China's emergence as the largest car market in the world, and the potential changes to the structure of Chinese domestic industry. The second paper entitled The Path to Globalization of China’s Automotive Industry explained the challenges faced by Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in their efforts to expand internationally. This paper describes how the rapidly expanding China market has become the catalyst driving the transformation of the business model and technological underpinnings of the automotive industry.

Accelerating the Inevitable Transformation


As noted in the first article in this series, we are living in historic times. The global economic crisis presents the world with a compelling case for change, and it is in times of crisis when truly transformational changes often occur. It is important to note that the economic crisis is simply a triggering event that freezes debate on whether change is needed and opens up opportunities for collaboration among governments, industry competitors as well as between government and industry. Several macroeconomic and sociopolitical challenges are directly linked with the automotive industry: the redistribution of global economic power, energy dependence, global trade balance and environmental concerns. The sheer size and influence of the Asian economies – especially China – will trigger the inevitable and overdue transformation of the automotive business model.


If you follow the trajectory of the past several years, you find that the strength in the global auto industry has been shifting eastward to places like India and China. Most of the recent growth in the world’s auto industry has been in the Asia-Pacific region, and more than half of that growth over the next decade is forecasted to come from China. The growing influence that China wields is not just its ability to influence standards and direction, but also its ability to create opportunities through partnerships for organizations that are financially weakened. As a result of the developments in their home markets, automotive companies and their suppliers must strive to deepen their participation in the China market if they hope to remain viable. It only stands to reason that companies that have weakened positions in their domestic market would benefit by redistributing some of their focus to the growth markets and in particular China.


For 5 consecutive months in 2009, China has surpassed the US in total car sales, most recently posting May sales of 1.12 million units versus 925,824 vehicles sold in the US market. The astonishing growth in car demand is a direct result of many factors that are fueling China’s economy. This includes the significant investment made in the development of the infrastructure to support transportation. The China government views the automotive industry as a “pillar” of its economy since it brings technology, jobs and investment to the economy. As such, several agencies of the China government play an active role in sponsoring initiatives to further stimulate automotive development and growth. While it may not be apparent to the rest of the world, these initiatives are accelerating not just China’s economic development – they are also accelerating the inevitable transformation of the automotive business model.


Leveraging the Economic Crisis to Achieve Policy Objectives


This year, in order to face the financial crisis, many national governments have enacted stimulus plans designed to create jobs and stabilize the economy. In the case of China, the stimulus plan has several intentions:

  • Stimulate the economy with a particular focus on backbone industries
  • Push a huge amount of capital through the banking system (USD$588 billion total with 45% targeted at infrastructure development)
  • Drive domestic consumption to reduce dependence on exports
The China government launched the Automotive Industry Revitalization Plan in March, 2009. The plan included several features designed to stimulate the development of the automotive sector, including:
  • Eight development goals for the industry from 2009 to 2011, designed to ensure donestic growth of automobile production and sales
  • Reduce half of sales tax for 1.6 liter or smaller cars
  • Remove restrictions on auto purchases
  • Boost auto sales in countryside
  • Subsidize new minibus or light truck sales for rural residents
As a direct result, sales of vehicles engines with 1.6L or lower engines have grown by 56.5 percent year-over-year. Chinese consumers – especially first time car buyers - are in fact helping to boost domestic demand and are taking advantage of the tax and other incentives currently available. The policy also encourages consumers to shop for more fuel-efficient cars, which supports China’s efforts to reduce fuel consumption. Targeting stimulus actions towards purchase of vehicles with lower engine displacement has the secondary effect of creating demand for smaller, lower-priced vehicles – and this tilts the playing field toward local Chinese brands.

Focusing the Development of New Propulsion Technology


As the size of the auto market inexorably expands, China will play an increasingly key role in the development of new automotive technologies. To some people who observe the industry, this seems counterintuitive. Most industry watchers believe that development leadership is purely a function of product innovation, and China is not a place where you will find leading-edge innovation, especially for automobiles. The China automotive market is still very young, and in many cases the domestic producers of vehicles that are sold in China are also fairly early in their development stage. But that is the view from the
supply side. The area where China has the opportunity to lead is on the demand side.


China’s emergence as the leading automotive market in terms of sales has several implications. While most attention has been paid to relative sales performance of the foreign and domestic companies, what is arguably of more long-term significance is the impact of China’s market expansion on energy consumption and environment. Ten years ago
, Bejing, Xi’an, Shenyang, Shanghai and Guangzhou were already listed among the Top 10 cities with the worst air pollution. The massive growth of the automotive market only adds to the problem. Additionally, China imports two-thirds of its oil, and its ever-increasing thirst has had a dramatic impact on global energy prices. No doubt, China has a clear and compelling need to reinvent the propulsion technology of the automobile. For alternative propulsion technologies such as clean diesel, hybrid and electric vehicles you will find that China does not lead the technological development.


To address this, China’s stimulus measures are targeting initiatives to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing energy intensity, increasing the share of renewable energy used, implementing tough auto emissions standards, and adding investments for clean energy.
China’s Minister of Science and Technology, Mr. Wan Gang – a former automotive development engineer for Audi – has recently unveiled a plan to support the development of what China calls “New Energy Vehicles” (NEVs). The Ministry of Science and Technology, working with the Ministry of Finance and the National Development and Reform Commission, is sponsoring an ambitious plan to promote the use of NEVs initially targeting 13 pilot cities, which include Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Changchun, Dalian, Hangzhou, Jinan, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Hefei, Changsha, Kunming, and Nanchang. The plan includes support for the development of energy-saving technology for use in government fleets, including buses, postal, and sanitation vehicles. The plan targets the deployment of 60,000 energy saving vehicles in China by 2012.


While Chinese car companies today do not lead the development of propulsion technology, they simply don't need to at this time.
Consider that about 45% of China’s $588 billion USD stimulus plan is to be invested in projects related to developing China’s infrastructure. Replacing internal combustion engines with other technologies- such as hybrid electric, full electric, hydrogen powered vehicles or clean diesel - requires collaboration between business and government to develop the infrastructure in tandem with development of the technology. The economics of the product itself and ultimate market acceptance is very much dependent on the availability of the infrastructure to recharge or replenish the fuel. It’s not realistic to expect a company to reinvent the technological underpinnings of the automobile unless there is a concurrent development and investment in the infrastructure to support that new technology vehicle. This is especially true in today’s weakened global economy.


As the largest automotive market, and because the China government has the capacity and willingness to invest in the infrastructure for alternative propulsion, the technology will eventually come to the market. When it does, the Chinese car companies will begin to close the gap relative to the industry leaders. What makes the development of alternative propulsion technology particularly challenging is not simply the vehicle itself - but the need for invention of the infrastructure for delivering renewable sources of electricity and installation of battery charging/replacement stations. As the largest car market, and the place with the largest need for alternative energy solutions, we can expect to see China place a heavy emphasis on development of the electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure. The country that leads the development of this infrastructure will undoubtedly lead in attracting the investment in development of the technologies that plug in to that infrastructure.


Consumer acceptance of new energy vehicles is yet another challenge. While the infrastructure investments already described will help tip the scales in favor of new energy vehicles, consumers must also be convinced that the price and performance of the new energy vehicle can in fact meet their expectations. As a national priority, we can expect the China government to help by offering incentives for the retail consumer to purchase new energy vehicles. Chinese consumers have less experience with gasoline-powered cars, and are already accustomed to short distance, low-speed commuting – conditions very favorable for electric cars.


The China government’s willingness to invest in the infrastructure to support alternative propulsion technology will ultimately help drive
demand side market acceptance. This is where China has the opportunity to take the lead, and that will drive supply side investment in new technology. For the development of NEVs, the infrastructure must come first - and this will drive supply-side innovation. It takes a combination of business and government working together to make such a transformational change possible – and nowhere in the world is there a closer link between business and government than in China.
Unlike the recent US government intervention that is occurring with no preconceived notion of the "end game" – China’s policy makers have for many years been crafting the development plans for the auto industry. These plans are surely not perfect - but such plans come in handy when navigating a crisis.


Reshaping the Automotive Business Model


An unprecedented restructuring of the global automotive industry is underway. Several OEMs and suppliers have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and are in the process of restructuring and selling assets in order to regain a profitable footing. However, it would be misleading to lay the blame for the failure of these businesses on the global economic crisis. As described by this author in
General Motors: The Fall of An American Icon, “the recent global economic crisis has accelerated the need for restructuring through bankruptcy”. The failure of automotive companies is the consequence of not transforming the
20th-century industrial paradigm to a 21st century global environment. It was never a question of whether the dominant auto giants of the 20th century auto industry would fail, but when they would fail. The global financial crisis merely exposed the fatal flaws that were already present in the industry.

The painful reality of globalization is that it is not a straightforward process.
In order to become global, most automotive OEMs have attempted to export a business model optimized for their home market to their international locations. Migrating development capacities to markets that lack the competency to perform the work misses the entire point of globalization. Worse, the blind pursuit of cost efficiency has resulted in many OEMs and first-tier suppliers outsourcing critical competencies that are necessary for differentiating the company’s products. Pursuing cheap parts or cheap labor is ultimately self-defeating when doing so robs an organization of its core competencies. Similarly, exporting a business model designed for the home market to foreign markets only serves to limit the ability of the organization to embrace the capabilities of the foreign market.


Automotive manufacturers in concert with their key stakeholders must redefine their business models for the new reality of 21
st century competition. Going global is not a simple transplant of the current business model to a foreign location. It implies a transformation of the entire automotive value chain to leverage the opportunities made possible by globalized capabilities. It involves redesigning business processes across the value chain in order to deliver to the customer a brand with a relevant Unique Selling Proposition (USP). This will require that 21st century global auto companies fundamentally rethink their entire value chain from the consumer back through sales and service, production, supply and R&D. Key stakeholder groups, including the national governments with an interest in the global competitiveness of their domestic auto industry, must contribute to this development.


China’s Revolutionary Role: The Catalyst for Transformation


While many may question whether China can take a leadership role in the transformation of the global auto industry, one cannot deny the influence that China has had on recent developments. The sheer size and growth of the China market has forced most companies to reprioritize their capital plans and resource allocation. The reallocation of production and supply resources to China has fundamentally changed the cost structure of the industry – which changes the entire competitive pricing game. China’s increasing thirst for energy has created much price volatility in the energy and resource sector, which has a direct impact on consumer buying behavior. China’s government policies and centrally planned economy have supported the creation of the infrastructure needed to stimulate both the supply and demand side of the auto business.


A catalyst is defined as “a person or thing that precipitates an event”. This is an appropriate characterization of China’s role in the transformation of the global auto industry. In a globalized world, we will likely find that the transformation of the automotive business model may not be linked to any one company or country. Instead, s
uccessful 21st century companies will be the ones that can quickly adapt to the reality of globalization. One of the best non-automotive examples is Apple Corporation, a company that has carefully deployed a business model that yields innovative products while leveraging the best and most cost effective capabilities from home and abroad. While many auto companies could argue that they are global, this fundamental Apple-style rethink of the entire value chain has really not occurred in the automotive context.

The emergence of China as the largest automobile market in the world is a significant event only in the sense that it causes the entire world to take notice of just how fast this economy is developing – and to also understand precisely how China is transforming the global auto industry. Rather than trying in vain to turn the clock back to the way things used to be, it would be wise to learn how to use these transformational forces to define a business model to leverage the capabilities which globalization makes possible.

Wo Er Wo Volvo China: Economic crisis great chance for Chinese firms to buy marquee makes

The Straits Times & The Malaysian Insider, June 18, 2009

BEIJING, June 18 — It started with Hummer. Volvo could be next. Opel, Buick and Jeep are targeted too. In the not too distant future, the famous vehicle brands of the West may be more Chinese than European or American.

As the US auto industry disintegrates, Chinese carmakers are circling over the carcasses of the likes of General Motors and Chrysler, eyeing the marquee international wheels owned by the tottering American giants.

“Things are cheap now. It's good shopping time,” said Richard Tay, a former vice-president of DaimlerChrysler in China.

Beijing Automotive, one of China's big five motor giants, is reportedly sending a team to Sweden this week to size up Volvo, adding its name to a growing list of Chinese bidders for the brand that is known here as Wo Er Wo.

This follows one of the most eye-popping bit of auto news in recent weeks, when it was revealed that little-known Chinese machinery maker Sichuan Tengzhong had made a surprise bid for Hummer — that petrol-guzzling behemoth made famous by American GIs and, of course, Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The deal, which has not yet been approved by the Chinese government, is clouded in controversy, with many in China slamming the purchase as running contrary to the official stance of promoting a greener society.

But the acquisition of these foreign brands does carry a “high degree of attractiveness” for Chinese companies, said Beijing-based auto analyst Bill Russo.

The most alluring reason is to use these established names to grab a slice of the increasingly lucrative Chinese car market.

For the past five months, China has been beating the US as the world's largest car market, and the projection is for sales this year to crack the 10-million-unit barrier for the first time.

Despite the economic crisis, Beijing showrooms are reporting two-month-long waits for customers wanting a set of new wheels.

The International Monetary Fund estimates that by 2050, China will have as many cars as the whole of the world does today — 700 million.

And Chinese buyers crave foreign cars, in particular the Western brands, which are seen as status symbols, more prestigious than the local makes, or even the South Korean and Japanese cars.

“The domestic companies are looking at foreign brands because they need them to target the higher-end market,” said analyst Ricon Xia of Daiwa Securities.

While first-time, young car buyers in China make do with a domestic QQ or Dongfeng, there is no doubt that most urban Chinese aspire to own a European brand such as Germany's BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

But the Chinese automakers also want these established Western brands to enter the international market.

Instead of following the Japanese and Korean models of developing indigenous brands to conquer the world, the Chinese prefer a short cut.

“How long did the Japanese and Koreans take — 30, 40 years? A brand takes generations to build. Nobody wants a Made in China car today. So it's easier to buy a famous foreign brand,” Tay pointed out.

“That's the advantage of the Chinese now. They have the money, they can shop. They do not need to start from zero. Just copy and take over.”

The acquisitions are also attractive as a means to obtaining the technology and global sales and distribution network which Chinese carmakers lack.

While years of joint ventures with foreign giants like Volkswagen have allowed the Chinese to pick up some of the technologies — such as assembly techniques — experts say the local industry still faces difficulties in building a top-notch engine from scratch.

But analysts have warned that buying these big brands does not mean that the road ahead will be smooth.

Shanghai Automotive acquired South Korea's Ssangyong in 2004, but it did not lead to happily ever after, and Ssangyong went bankrupt earlier this year.

Xia said many of these foreign car companies come with strong labour unions, something which Chinese firms will not be familiar with.

These brands are also not in the best of shape.

“The reason they are for sale is that they are not doing well,” said Russo.

“Chinese firms need to take a bite they can chew instead of swallowing the whole thing.”

Click here to view the original article



6.15.2009

Two Chinese Brands Break Onto World Scene

Advertising Age, June 15, 2009

HONG KONG (AdAge.com) -- While many big Chinese brands are inward-looking, two are poised to break out internationally: Chery Automobile Co. and sportswear marketer Li Ning. Here's why they are worth watching.

Taking a cue from a Chinese character that means both "crisis" and "opportunity," Chery is turning the global recession that started in the U.S. into an opportunity at home and possibly overseas. China became the world's largest car market in January 2009, years ahead of most experts' estimates. At the same time Americans stopped buying cars, China's government dropped taxes on small-passenger-car sales to jump-start consumption in its own economy. Chinese consumers responded enthusiastically, snapping up 1.15 million vehicles in April, a new monthly record.

China's largest private automaker, it sold a record 35,000 cars in January 2009, showed 32 products under its four sub-brands -- Chery, Riich, Rely and Karry -- as part of a multibrand strategy "to help them explore different market segments with distinctively branded products," said Yang Jian, managing editor of Automotive News China.

Chery raised $425 million this month by selling a 20% stake to domestic investors to boost its development and expansion plans, according to spokesman Jin Yibo.

Some of the automaker's most advanced car models, such as Eastar and A5, are already sold in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. "Less-mature markets have demographics that lend themselves to new market entrants who compete primarily on price," said Bill Russo, president of Synergistics auto consultancy. Chery has indicated it also has plans to enter the U.S. market.

Chery expects to sell 419,000 vehicles this year, nearly 18% more than it sold in 2008. The company became famous in the early part of the century for its cheap subcompact QQ series, which sells for as little as $4,500, but its image is changing as its products move upscale. One of the most telling signs of the company's ambition is Riich, a luxury brand it launched in late March that comprises sedan, hatchback, crossover and SUV models. Marketed to Chinese officials, it competes against Western brands such as Audi and plays into a rising sense of patriotism.

Li Ning
When it comes to buying sneakers and tracksuits, Chinese kids want the latest, hippest fashions, a trend that benefits international brands such as Adidas, Nike and Puma. Li Ning has been surprisingly adept at fending off bigger rivals in China by tapping overseas opportunities and downplaying its local origins at home.

Li Ning is an official marketing partner of the National Basketball Association, an expensive but valuable relationship in China, where basketball is hugely popular. It also has sponsorship deals with four U.S. players, including Shaquille O'Neal of the Phoenix Suns.

Li Ning sponsors the national basketball teams of Spain and Argentina and has deals with tennis pro Ivan Ljubicic and Yelena Isinbayeva, a two-time Olympic pole-vault gold medalist and world-record holder. It has also expanded into international markets such as Russia, Southeast Asia and Spain.

The company's founder and namesake is an Olympic-medal-winning gymnast who was China's first celebrity athlete and also one of its first entrepreneurs. Li Ning was established in 1990 and operates more than 6,200 retail stores in China, including 1,012 it opened in 2008.

In addition to developing its flagship Li Ning brand, which is pricey for many Chinese, the marketer and retailer introduced a mass-market sportswear and accessories brand called Z-do in retail stores such as Walmart in 2007. The line is about half the price of Li Ning products.

The investments are paying off. China's largest sporting-goods producer claims to have up to 50% of China's sportswear-market sales, although exact figures are not available. Li Ning's revenue last year grew almost 54% to $978 million and the company said its orders for the fourth quarter of 2009 rose 14.5% year on year.

The Olympic Games in Beijing helped boost Li Ning's position. Members of the Chinese national gymnastics, diving, table-tennis and shooting teams all wore Li Ning clothing and shoes. Li Ning also sponsored other nations including Spain, Sweden, Argentina and the U.S.

Click here to view the original article on AdAge.com