June 2000: THE internet is shifting power to consumers and away from vehicle manufacturers. According to financial management and business solutions company Anderson Consulting, an 'information transparency' has been formed, 'opening access to once-unavailable information to consumers and industry players'.

'The larger the amount of information in hand, the better equipped consumers and industry players will be. Information is power,' said John Cunningham, partner, automotive, industrial and transportation.

He added: 'Power is pouring down at an accelerated rate from suppliers to assemblers and from assemblers to consumers.'

One question being asked, said Cunningham, is whether assembler and supplier profits will suffer as consumers benefit from the long-term infusion of e-commerce.

He commented: 'One of the goals of e-commerce is to motivate suppliers to drive costs down and, of course, continue the flow of cost-savings to the assembler. It is still necessary for assemblers and suppliers alike to recognise and exploit the e-commerce trend: first to market definitely applies.

'It is imperative that players enter the game early and strategically to create a competitive advantage.'