汽車產業的環境時常變動。現下的消費者相較於大量生產的車子，他們更偏愛個人化、客製化的汽車。而這樣的趨勢，改變了汽車產業的供應鏈。汽車製造商必須改變他們的策略，從推式生產到拉式生產以及傳統式生產到即時生產。這樣的改變促使輪胎的供應廠商以及代工廠商關係更加緊密，進而達到更有效率的合作。墨西哥因為經濟方面及地緣方面的優勢，成為許多汽車製造商青睞的原因。在過去的幾年，汽車的製造量在墨西哥呈現穩定的成長。
藉由一級資料、次級文獻探討、電話訪談以及電子郵件的交流，本研究得出:近年汽車產業球化的趨勢是否、如何影響墨西哥的市場。為了得到這個結論，本研究以墨西哥市場中的代工廠商與輪胎供應商，是否重新配置已達合作更有效率之效果來作探討。
本研究以voestalpine作為個案研討對象。voestalpine是一家奧地利鋼鐵公司，同時此公司也是汽車產業中的供應廠商。voestalpine對於改善其在墨西哥汽車市場的定位是很感興趣的。
本研究的分析包含了三個部分。第一，研究結果顯示，在墨西哥的代工廠商較偏好於國際性的供應廠商。第二，根據最近投資的趨勢顯示，證明輪胎廠商跟著代工廠商進到墨西哥市場。第三，代工廠商與輪胎廠商設廠相近，形成汽車產業簇群。而最後對於voestalpine的建議，本研究認為跟隨最近趨勢以及增加其對於墨西哥市場內的汽車產業簇群，包括Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon和Estado de Mexico的重視。

The automotive industry constantly changes. Consumers nowadays prefer individualized and customized cars over mass- produced cars. This new trend in the industry leads to changes in the automotive supply chain. Car manufacturers have to change their strategies from push to pull models and from traditional manufacturing to just-in-time manufacturing. These changes force Tier suppliers and OEMs to move closer together and cooperate more efficiently. Due to its economic and geographical advantages, Mexico became a popular destination for car manufacturers. Over the last years, car production in Mexico has steadily increased.
Through primary and secondary literature research, telephone interviews and email I determined if and how recent global trends in the automotive industry affect the Mexican market. In order to answer this research question I explored if OEMs and Tier suppliers in Mexico relocate to work together more efficiently.
voestalpine, an Austrian steel company and automotive supplier serves as a case study for this Master thesis. It is interested in improving its positioning in the Mexican automotive market.
The analysis consists of three parts. First, it is shown that OEMs prefer global suppliers in Mexico. Second, recent waves of investment prove that Tier suppliers follow OEMs to the Mexican market. Third, OEMs and Tier suppliers are located close to each other forming automotive clusters. The final recommendation for voestalpine is to follow recent trends and increases its focus on the automotive industry in Mexico in the clusters Guanajuato, Jalisco, Nuevo Leon and Estado de Mexico.

Table of Contents
Verification Letter i
摘 要 ii
Abstract iii
Table of Figures v
Table of Tables vi
1. Introduction 1
a. Motive 1
b. Problem Statement 4
2. Literature Review 6
a. The automotive supply chain 6
b. Trends in the automotive supply chain 7
3. Methodology 11
a. Internet based research: primary and secondary research 11
b. Direct contact: telephone interviews and e-mail 11
4. Case Company Introduction 13
5. Analysis 14
a. Comparison of suppliers worldwide and in Mexico 14
b. Investments 19
c. Geographical proximity- cluster 24
6. Recommendation 32
7. Conclusion 34
References 36
Appendix 42

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