The Auto Industry as a Subway Map

Ben Oliver at the UK's "CAR Magazine" has published an updated 2010 map of the relationships among world automakers (ownership, joint ventures, etc.).  What's interesting about this map is that it is organized in the form of the London subway map - you can find it here.  Back in 2005, Ben produced a similar map - and comparing the two, you get a sense of how much the industry has evolved in that time.  For example, DaimlerChrysler figured prominently on the 2005 map, but by 2010 both Daimler and Chrysler occupy much smaller parcels of real estate on the map.  Also in 2010 you see the emergence of Geely and other Chinese makers not on the 2005 map.  In addition, GM has been pruned of several divisions (Saturn, Hummer, Pontiac) on the 2005 map, and the updated map illustrates the emergence of electric car specialists BYD (from China) and Tesla.

Readers can see my much more rudimentary attempt at illustrating these relationships, showing more of the change in relationships over time, at this link.