The paper discusses how to leverage product design activities in the automotive sector, with focus on the components industry. Scientific research methods are used to anchor public policy suggestions. It is based on the concept of design headquarters (SALERNO et al., 2009), that relates design specifications and part numbers control with the power to choose suppliers - with local or national supply chain roots. It gives upmost importance to product design activity, which may be considered as an inductor of local production. The paper proposes the creation of precompetitive research centers, service centers for tool and die design, and a massive extension of the organizational/managerial program, with experts/consultants visiting plants to suggest improvements and to integrate companies with public agencies tasked with promoting innovation.
Innovation; Automotive industry; Product design and development; Industrial development; Innovation policy
