This paper tracks the development of the automotive industry (excluding motorcycles) since the 1970s, with major emphasis on the 1980s and 1990s. 

This paper tracks the development of the automotive industry (excluding motorcycles) since the 1970s, with major emphasis on the 1980s and 1990s. This paper also distinguishes three distinct parts of the industry: sedan (where the major problems are), commercial vehicles (where the problems are less severe), and components (highly diverse with some quite efficient). Its main story is focused on the period before the crisis. However, it covers some aspects of the 1997 crisis, such as the collapse in domestic demand, the problem faced by major producer groups, and the urgency of increasing exports. This paper tracks the development of the automotive industry (excluding motorcycles) since the 1970s, with major emphasis on the 1980s and 1990s.

This paper also distinguishes three distinct parts of the industry: sedan (where the major problems are), commercial vehicles (where the problems are less severe), and components (highly diverse, some quite efficient). Its main story extends until before the crisis, but it covers some aspects of the 1997 crisis, such as, the collapse in domestic demand, the problem faced by major producer groups, and the urgency for export.