With the recent ascend of Korean car manufacturers to major competitors in the global automobile market in less than three decades, questions arise how these car producers succeeded to rise in such a mature industry and what competitive strategies they follow. It furthermore shows a change in direction from late entrants impelled to catch-up with established firms in terms of technology, design and other inalienable business skills, to threatening innovative rivals. By analysing the pre-conditions for the rise and the competitive strategies applied by Korean car manufacturers in comparison to their German counterparts, this dissertation provides suggestions in mainly three areas: the continuing competitiveness of Korean car manufactures; the future survival of European car producers and last but not least for the rise of new competitors from emerging markets.