Franchise dealer network systems with some sort of involved
direct ownership by auto makers is the typical distribution
channel of automobiles. However, when we look at the connection
between makers and dealers, the functions of dealer networks in
Japanese makers were more strongly connected to auto makers'
order fulfilment processes and played a more important role than
in German makers. As already mentioned, Japanese makers tended
to more actively use dealer-fitted options, or late-configuration
strategies. Such strategies made it possible to reduce the complex-
ity of Japanese auto makers' operations, while German makers did
not actively use late-configuration strategies.