This emerges from a study by the consulting firm Bearing Point . One of the reasons for optimism is that half of the automotive companies surveyed in Europe, Asia and the United States have a clear digital strategy and are already implementing it. According to the consultants, although many of them also recognize the need to work with partners, they often live in the past: "They cling to a world in which a walled company site protects innovations against the competition," explains Matthias Loebich of Bearing Point.

As a result, only 48% of car manufacturers surveyed believe they need to build up and manage a partner ecosystem to be successful. One possible obstacle could be their own brand strategy: 70% stated that the complexity of such ecosystems could confuse consumers about the brand. 57% also complained that it was difficult to find the right technology for managing a partner ecosystem.

However, according to the consulting company Horváth & Partners , ecosystem innovations benefit all stakeholders, including customers. Key innovation management questions must first be answered when developing such a system, including those about the robustness of the current business model and suitable partners for the target customers.