Client Overview
Company: Confidential UK
Industry: Automotive (OEM)
Size: 38,000+ employees, operations in 40+ countries
Revenue: $30B annually
Challenge: Digital transformation to remain competitive amid low cost models from China, EV disruption and customer expectations for connected, autonomous vehicles.
Business Objective
The subject organisation wanted to:
- Shift from export model to local manufacturing model
- Become a truly Global Automotive player to cater increasing demand of new customers across continents with an objective to reach 1 million vehicles annually
- Support electrification, digital services, and autonomous vehicle programs.
Align technology investment with strategic business outcomes.
Phase 1: Business Capability Assessment
Approach
Used a Business Capability Model (BCM) based on APQC Process Classification and automotive-specific capabilities.
Key Domains Assessed
| Capability Domain | Sample Capabilities | Assessment Focus |
| Product Development | Concept Design, Simulation, Testing | Legacy tools, low automation |
| Manufacturing | Smart Factory, Quality Control | Manual tracking, outdated MES |
| Supply Chain | Demand Planning, Logistics, Sourcing | Disconnected systems |
| Sales & Service | Dealer Enablement, CRM, Digital Sales | Limited digital integration |
| Customer Experience | Connected Car Services, Mobile Apps, predictive diagnostics | Fragmented experience |
| Technology & Data | Cloud, Analytics, DevOps, AI | Siloed and inconsistent |
Findings
- High maturity: Core manufacturing processes.
- Low maturity: Manufacturing presence in multiple continents, Product Design, Digital services, customer-centric capabilities, Quality
- Technology Gaps: Lack of real-time data, poor system integration, poor testing
Business Gaps: Fragmented governance, overlapping functions, pre production phase cross border shipment capability
Phase 2: Capability-Based Roadmap Development
Design Principles
- Business-led, not tech-led
- Focus on outcomes, not just IT delivery
- Prioritize based on capability impact and strategic alignment
Transformation Themes
- Customer-Centricity & Digital Channels
- Unified digital platform (web/mobile)
- Personalized experiences via AI
- Smart Product & Connected Services
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- Vehicle telemetry and predictive maintenance
- Agile Product Development
- Model-based systems engineering (MBSE)
- Integrated CAD/CAE/PLM
- Smart Manufacturing & Supply Chain
- IoT-based shop floors
- Predictive logistics & demand planning
- Data & Technology Foundation
- Cloud-first architecture
- Unified data platform & enterprise integration layer
Roadmap Structure
Time Horizon
- Short Term (0–12 months): Foundational capabilities, quick wins
- Mid Term (12–24 months): Modernization and integration
- Long Term (24–36+ months): Advanced analytics, AI, innovation
Roadmap Example (Excerpt)
| Timeframe | Capability Domain | Initiative | Outcome |
| 0–12 mo | Customer Experience | Launch new digital vehicle owner app | Boost engagement, reduce churn |
| 0–12 mo | Data & Tech | Migrate to hybrid cloud platform | Flexibility, cost optimization |
| 12–24 mo | Product Development | Deploy digital twin for EV programs | Faster design iteration |
| 12–24 mo | Supply Chain | AI-based demand planning | Inventory reduction, accuracy |
| 24–36 mo | Connected Services | Monetize vehicle data through APIs | New revenue streams |
| 24–36 mo | Manufacturing | Fully integrated smart factory rollout | Quality and cost improvements |
Governance & KPIs
Governance
- Enterprise Architecture Board
- Business Capability Owners
- Transformation PMO
KPIs
- Capability maturity improvement (measured yearly)
- Customer satisfaction score (CSAT/NPS)
- ROI from new digital services
- Reduction in TTM (Time to Market)
- Platform uptime and performance
Results (12–24 months snapshot)
- 25% increase in digital engagement
- 30% faster vehicle leasing process
- $50M saved through supply chain efficiency
Conclusion
By grounding transformation in business capabilities rather than isolated projects or technologies, AutoDrive Inc. built a sustainable roadmap that:
- Aligned investment with strategy,
- Built cross-functional accountability,
- Delivered real business outcomes across multiple domains.
