ABSTRACT
The automobile industry was one of the first industries to become a global business. Exporting cars to foreign markets occurred from the very beginning of automobile mass production. Eventually, globalization of production took place. Most automobile firms had multinational operations even before the latest wave of globalization began during the 1980s. This chapter will explain the ways in which product design, development, and production are influenced by factors that are specific to different regions. It concludes with an analysis of a highly successful international operation that has involved two very different societies-Germany and Mexico-for almost a half century. This case study is an exemplar both of how engineers and organizations from very different backgrounds can work together to build a mutually beneficial partnership, and of how difficult it is to build and maintain longterm collaboration in the global economy.
