Autobook Review: “Time for a Model Change:.."

All riled up and overstressed, the auto industry as it sails through the intimidating high tide of economic battery, alarmed and defensive automakers attempt to salvage the best out of the bad times. This also seems to be an opportune moment for a review of the industrial events as they unfold, and to gain insights in to the hows and whys. And then, to march ahead with a perked up grit, coupled with an approach that signifies a paradigm shift, perhaps.

Authored by Graeme P. Maxton and John Wormald, both seasoned industry veterans, the book “Time for a Model Change: Re-engineering the Global Automotive Industry" delves deep into the unsystematic thinking, and unsynchronized approach that ails the industry as a whole, both the auto manufacturers and the auto parts sector.

The development of the automotive industry has turned out to be the one of the most significant industrial phenomenon of the previous century, that's impacted the society like no other. And it continues to be one, as it makes up for more than 11% of the GDP of Europe, North America, and Japan. This means that a one in nine people are employed by the industry.

The reader, throughout the journey of its reading would encounter broad, new, practical, critical, and far reaching recommendations meant to ensure the industry's sustainability, by satisfying its myriad stakeholders.

The book takes the reader on and intriguing voyage bit by bit, here's the rundown of the contents.

1. From automania to maturity: in the main markets at least


2. The problems that can be fixed: dealing with noxious emissions, traffic accidents and congestion


3. The global resource challenges: energy and space


4. A global industry: the changing international order


5. The supplier industry: the catalyst for the profound changes to come


6. The downstream sales and service sector: the coming revolution


7. When the numbers don’t add up: an industry that doesn’t earn its keep


8. Choosing a future for the automotive industry


9. Time for a model change

The content is comprehensive and thoroughly researched, just as you would expect from the ace analysts. The critical analysis exposes the fallibility of the present system, but not without several eyeopening ideas as solutions. Further, since the coverage presents the automobile industry's overview as a whole, and not its fragments, the text has universal appeal. For instance, the aftermarkets are an ever expanding segment but are still fuel by obsolete standards of retailing. The authors explain this and point out the opportunities that lie within the sector.

All in all, the book appears to be a must read for one and all associated in any way with the industry, not to mention all those who're simply interested.

The book's details follow:

Title: Time for a Model Change: Re-engineering the Global Automotive Industry

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (December 6, 2004)

ISBN-10: 0521837154

ISBN-13: 978-0521837156

You can purchase it either from Cambridge.org or Amazon.com.

Happy Reading! :-)

You might want to read the previous review as well, the following link will take you there: Autobook Review: “Six Men Who Built the Modern Auto Industry”