As the automotive industry transitions toward software-defined and digitally integrated vehicles, cross-organizational collaboration has become a strategic necessity. Yet, identifying suitable technology partners and determining where to deepen existing engagement remains a complex task. This whitepaper introduces the Strategic Engagement Map (SEM), a quantitative framework that supports two complementary processes: (1) identifying potential co-development partners for emerging technologies, and (2) prioritizing ongoing engagements based on strategic fit and innovation potential. The SEM consolidates financial indicators, R&D metrics, and structured expert assessments into two composite dimensions: Financial Capacity (ability to invest and sustain development) and Technology Investment Openness (willingness to innovate and collaborate). By integrating these heterogeneous inputs, the SEM visualizes where collaboration is most likely to yield long-term value and provides a transparent logic for comparing partners within a dynamic ecosystem. The framework enhances decision quality by making assumptions explicit, improving cross-functional alignment, and enabling continuous tracking of partnership dynamics. Its design supports reproducibility and structured evaluation, contributing a transparent, data-driven approach to partner selection in the evolving automotive landscape.
A. Rohrbeck (Tue,) studied this question.