Automotive Economy

Faculty

Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science

Version

Version 1 of 25.02.2026.

Module identifier

11M2201

Module level

Master

Language of instruction

German

ECTS credit points and grading

5.0

Module frequency

only summer term

Duration

1 semester

 

 

Brief description

The automobile market is constantly changing. New technologies are giving rise to new sales markets and sales strategies as well as new structures along the entire value chain.

The “Automotive Economy” module therefore looks at the automobile from the overall economic perspective.

Teaching and learning outcomes

 1. Structures in the automobile market

2. Automotive industry and Industry 4.0

3. Business management

4. Automotive production value chain

Overall workload

The total workload for the module is 150 hours (see also "ECTS credit points and grading").

Teaching and learning methods
Lecturer based learning
Workload hoursType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
30LecturePresence-
15Practical projectPresence-
Lecturer independent learning
Workload hoursType of teachingMedia implementationConcretization
60seminar paper-
30Preparation/follow-up for course work-
15Preparation/follow-up for course work-
Graded examination
  • Homework / Assignment
Exam duration and scope

Homework: Semester-long project work with milestone and final presentation as well as project report (min. 30 pages)

Knowledge Broadening

The students who have successfully studied this module know the basic structures and processes in the automotive industry.

Knowledge deepening

The students who have successfully studied this module have the necessary basic knowledge of the automotive industry and know the connections between automotive technology and business.

Knowledge Understanding

The students are able to evaluate and explain the basic context of the automotive industry. 

They know the approaches in automotive business management and can point out the differences and parallels to other sectors of the economy.

In addition, students apply subject-related skills and abilities in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Application and Transfer

The students know the basics of the automotive industry as a supplement to the technical focus of their engineering studies.

Academic Innovation

Based on the knowledge they have learned, students can integrate economic relationships into their technical work.

Communication and Cooperation

The students can convey and plausibly present the automotive industry contexts in discussions with employees and superiors.

Academic Self-Conception / Professionalism

Students can assess and assess existing and future challenges in the automotive industry.

Literature

Diez, W.: Grundlagen der Automobilwirtschaft: Das Standardwerk der Automobilbranche; Springer-Verlag

Ebel, B., Hofer, M. B.: Automotive Management; Springer-Verlag

Applicability in study programs

  • Automotive Engineering (Master)
    • Automotive Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)

  • Mechanical Engineering (Master)
    • Mechanical Engineering M.Sc. (01.09.2025)

    Person responsible for the module
    • Schäfers, Christian
    Further lecturer(s)

    N.N.