ABSTRACT
The automotive equipment industry has several specific features, three of which are closely linked to its present evolution. The first is that automotive equipment is produced by two diferent types of firms, specialised equipment makers and car makers. Second, there is a high rate of technical change within the industry, both for products and processes. Third, there is standardisation on a world scale of some segments of the car market. This phenomenon is known as 'market globalisation'. The globalisation of the car market implies that of related automotive equipment. The industry's evolu tion has led to changes both in the nature of the links between car and equipment makers and of the management of their business rela tionships.
