The aim of this study is to investigate, based on the context of the global industry restructuring, the main factors which have induced the process of vertical desintegration of the larger companies in the brazilian automobile industry. It involves the consequent increase of outsourcing process by the same companies. Thirteen case studies are presented (5 automakers and 8 autoparts companies) with the purpose of identifying the tendency of these fenomena (vertical desintegration / outsourcing process) within the brazilian automobile complex. These case studies provide some evidence which allow us to reach some conclusions, for instance: the relationship between the automakers and the autoparts companies belonging to the first step of the "subcontracting pyramid" has become less conflicting. But the relationship between the autoparts companies ("first step") and their suppliers (second, third,...steps) is still based upon the "exit strategy", representing a lot of problems to both sides (e.g. : delay in delivers, high rate of low quality products, etc.). The tendency in the forthcoming years is to improve the relationship between suppliers and costumers , mainly between the automakers and these companies that produce most complex autoparts (such engine, gearboxes, brake systems, etc.). The same kind of relationship, when it comes to lower steps as the "subcontracting pyramid", seems to be more difficult.
vertical desintegration; outsourcing; subcontracting