As the automotive industries join the Global environment, the component suppliers need to adapt to this reality. This brings new challenges to be accommodated. Conflicting objectives, as seen from a traditional point of view, must be harmonized: Centralization of core development and simultaneous presence in the customer's sites are difficult to manage. A network of technical centers has to be wisely distributed around the world in order to allow for optimum coverage with all potential customers.
Also the new tendency of modularity imposes leaving from a pure component design to modules and subsystems integration.
This paper gives, based on a real case experience, some insights on best ways to meet these challenges and focus mainly in the task of designing for globally managed car programs.
The most common scenario nowadays for a new car program development is to have a central platform design which allows for local market exception needs, These needs will vary from region to region.
The conditions above mentioned and the need for proposing different approaches to interact in the new world environment sets the framework for the model described.