Suppliers are seeing their profitability deteriorate quite rapidly. Many are for sale. It is true that disinflation, including the fall in commodity prices, and the rationalization of production processes, allowed price cuts in the past. But this is changing. Still, prices keep mounting for innovative products.
Balance of power is inadequate as a terminology.
The relationship between suppliers and carmakers is not that different from the relationship between you and a doctor or an architect. We have no aftermarket activities. It's progressively deteriorating. Not because of foreign exchange rates, which have been favorable, and not because of taxes, which are high but stable. But the 35-hour week is hurting.