Unsustainable urban transport is often linked to rising car ownership, pollution by cars, congestion by cars etc. Due to the imperative of corporate social responsibility the car industry can no longer ignore this scapegoat role. In order to keep market shares high it increasingly feels urged to contribute actively to a more sustainable urban transport in the future.
Strategically, car manufacturers have two options to be better prepared for fast-moving urban environments: (a) anticipating external developments and trends in order to adjust corporate strategies (corporate foresight) and (b) participating in policy making and market transformation in order to reach corporate objectives: Shaping the environment a company lives in, i. e. participating in urban policy making and agenda setting. While the first option aims at increasing economic objectives, i.e. preparing for changing market conditions, the latter can help achieve corporate responsibility objectives if based on sustainable development principles.
Drawing on selected examples of anticipating and participating activities by the automotive industry regarding urban mobility and their respective opportunities and limits, this paper will explore how these activities, if based on sustainable development principles, can contribute to the long-term success of urban transport projects – besides strengthening a company’s market performance. Aspects like seamless mobility, mobility service provision, accessibility, and public and non-motorized mobility will play major roles in achieving these objectives.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction - Cars and car manufacturers as scapegoats of the sustainable urban transport debate
- Setting trends and shaping policies: strategies of OEMs to escape the scapegoat role
- Strategic Foresight
- Active Participation
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the role of car manufacturers in contributing to sustainable urban transport. It argues that traditional approaches of technological innovation and compliance are not sufficient to address the challenges of urban mobility and that car manufacturers need to adopt more proactive strategies of foresight and participation in policy-making.- The role of car manufacturers in sustainable urban transport
- The limitations of technological innovation and compliance
- The importance of foresight and participation in policy-making
- The need to integrate various perspectives in urban planning and policy-making
- The potential of car manufacturers to become true mobility service providers
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction - Cars and car manufacturers as scapegoats of the sustainable urban transport debate
The chapter outlines the challenges of sustainable urban transport and the role of car manufacturers in this context. It argues that the car industry has been often blamed for unsustainable urban transport due to rising car ownership, pollution, and congestion. However, the chapter suggests that car manufacturers have a key role to play in shaping the future of sustainable urban transport.Setting trends and shaping policies: strategies of OEMs to escape the scapegoat role
This chapter focuses on two strategic options for car manufacturers to contribute to sustainable urban transport: foresight and participation. The chapter explores the concept of foresight, which involves anticipating external developments and trends in order to adjust corporate strategies. It also examines active participation in policy making and market transformation in order to achieve corporate objectives.Strategic Foresight
This section discusses the concept of corporate foresight and its application in the context of sustainable urban transport. The author emphasizes the importance of identifying opportunities for corporate research, development, and innovation to address societal challenges.Active Participation
This section focuses on active participation in policy making and market transformation as a strategy for car manufacturers. The author explores how car manufacturers can influence urban policies and contribute to the development of sustainable mobility solutions.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords in this paper include sustainable urban transport, car manufacturers, corporate foresight, participation in policy making, seamless mobility, accessibility, public transport, non-motorized transport, and urban planning. The paper focuses on exploring how car manufacturers can shift from a reactive to a proactive role in shaping the future of urban transport.- Quote paper
- Dr. Maria Schnurr (Author), 2008, The Contested Role of Car Manufacturers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/292870
