II
ABSTRACT
Electronic commerce which is based on information technology has influenced
deeply on conventional economic activities. It features infinite of operating hours and
extensiveness of space which have not only made the transactions more efficiently but
also ameliorated the marketing channels. Conventional marketing networks of
automobile industry in our country are crisscross complicatedly, which result in high
transaction costs and are not beneficial to the popularity of cars and long-run
development of automotive industry. Consequently, it is essential to reform and
improve conventional marketing channels to make full use of the advantages of
electronic commerce. The transaction costs can be decreased and the efficiency of
transaction will be improved hence. In case of initiating reform, the drop of car prices
would enable more and more families to use the cars, and the entire auto industry
would grow stably and healthily.
This paper summarized the theoretic views of marketing channels in auto
industry both at home and abroad, and focused on the theory of channel management
in literature review. The following chapters would follow the theoretic logic above. To
begin with, we started with the research of existing applications of conventional
channels and network channels, and then regarded classical theory of transaction cost
by Coarse and Williamson as theoretic framework, we proposed a new type of
marketing models and gave solutions of vertical and cross-channel conflict through
comparative analysis and inductive argument.
This paper analyzed marketing channels of automobile industry systematically,
broadened the scope of research vision, and applied the channel management theory
to the new marketing channel under electronic commerce circumstance. Relying on
the framework of classical transaction cost, we proposed three new marketing channel
models based on network marketing which included manufacturer binding with
storage, centralizing channel intermediaries and focusing the function of network
marketing on more professional auto website. Simultaneously, we also concluded the
analysis of the three new models and figured out the necessary conditions. According
to the different role of channel members, we classified channel conflicts as vertical
and cross-channel conflict, and brought forward the solutions for these two kinds of
conflicts caused by channel evolvement. Institutionalized mechanism designs and
efficient communications will be the foundation to solve the horizontal conflict; brand
differentiation, price coordination and product differentiation will be the basis of
figuring out cross-channel conflict.
Key word: auto industry, electronic commerce, marketing channel,
innovation