Wasner Lian, T. (2010). EFS (China) Business Consultancy Co., Ltd. : business plan [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://resolver.obvsg.at/urn:nbn:at:at-ubtuw:1-46371
The automotive industry, a key sector in China's industrialization and modernization efforts, has been developing rapidly since the "open-door policy" and Chinas entering in the WTO. Multinational automotive companies come to the Chinese market, set-up joint ventures and introduce advanced technology and management philosophy. Thanks to the technology innovation, recent years have witnessed the rise of Chinese local independent automakers in a very short period of time. In 2006 China became the 2nd largest automotive market and the 3rd largest automobile manufacturing country in the world. China's automotive industry has continued to expand despite the global economic downturn and as of November 2009 China is the largest auto market the world. On top of that China has produced 10 million cars so far in 2009 and as of October it become the first time a l0-million-unit car producer. China is expected to produce over 13 million vehicles in 2009, becoming both the world's largest automobile producer and consumer. The consultancy McKinsey & Company estimates that China's car market will grow tenfold between 2005 and 2030. EFS has been serving the European automotive industry for the past 20 years, with a successful expansion to Japan in recent years. China is the next logical market as EFS sees the rising global attention in the automotive industry and rapid growth of business opportunities. Therefore EFS is preparing to enter the Chinese market in 2010. EFS with its head quarter in Vienna, is an independent consulting firm focusing on future technologies and market in the automotive industry. EFS' core competencies, which cover technology and strategic consulting have been constantly enhanced and adapted to the changing challenges of the market, especially in recent years with the new product development of green cars. EFS supports clients from early stage of product development up to the market positioning of the product with respect to all technical, economic and social aspects of future market trends. Innovation is the key for automotive industry therefore EFS is fully aware of using innovative approaches combined with its core competencies to support automakers in solving their current and future problems according to product and market definition, concept development, series development, production and logistics, project and process management. The object of this master thesis is to develop a business plan, which is feasible for EFS to expand to the Chinese market with a major emphasis on providing services with innovative approaches. Project examples will be explicit to demonstrate the innovative approaches and methodology. The key learning from this master thesis will be innovation in automotive service industry, value creation and entrepreneurship.