The automotive business is being rebuilt around electrification, new brands and digital retail. Distributors and manufacturers across the region are adding brands from new markets, launching electric ranges and rethinking how customers buy and service a vehicle. They need leaders who can protect an established franchise while launching a new one, often with a different customer and margin structure.

The value in after sales

Much of the value in automotive distribution sits in after sales: service, parts and the lifetime relationship with the customer. Electric vehicles change that economics, and leaders need to understand how. We test candidates' judgement on brand portfolio choices, dealer networks and after sales economics, where the long term health of the business is decided.

The automotive leader in demand protects one franchise while building the next.

Manufacturing and engineering

On the manufacturing side, the leaders in demand bring experience of powertrain transition, software defined vehicles and resilient supply chains. They lead engineering teams through technologies that are still maturing, and they make disciplined decisions on sourcing and localisation.

What we assess

  • Manufacturer to aftermarket. Understanding of the full value chain, including service and parts.
  • EV and powertrain transition. Experience launching or converting products and networks.
  • Software defined vehicles. Leadership of software and electronics in a hardware business.
  • Supply chain resilience. Sourcing, localisation and risk management.
  • Brand portfolio judgement. How the leader chooses, positions and supports brands.

Aligned Acquisition in automotive

Through Aligned Acquisition we agree the mandate with the board: which franchise the leader must protect, which they must build and how the two will share resources. We then define the capability evidence and read the culture of the organisation, including its relationships with principals and dealers. A leader aligned on all three can manage the transition without losing the customers and partners who built the business.

The transition in this industry will take years. The leaders who guide it well combine patience with the discipline to act when the moment is right.