The motivation of this work is to analyze the significance of relationship management between automotive suppliers and automotive manufacturers (so-called OEMs) in the current market situation and to assess it in relation to the suppliers' business success. The aim of the study is to highlight the key success factors of this relationship and to quantify and evaluate the non-directly measurable relationship characteristics. The conceptualization of a sector-specific OEM Relationship Management (ORM) model and its influencing and effect factors is carried out confirmatively. From the results of the empirical study, differentiated recommendations for action can be derived for German medium-sized suppliers concerning ORM.