By Mark Kirkey, Jamal Hejazi

Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers face major hurdles as their industry continues to transform under the weight of technological disruption, government protectionism policies from the United States (the world’s largest automotive market), evolving government views on taxation (including transfer pricing) and new regulations.

Although there’s no telling what the future will bring, history indicates that the companies that prepare best for such changes, while also controlling costs, will be the most successful in the end. With that in mind, it’s imperative that automobile companies be aware of, and reactive to, the big-picture issues shaping their industry – all of which come at a steep cost.