Mathias Puetz

Very interesting article…. At least in my Chinese brown eyes, it tells the most needed skills to be successful on China as a German company. My words as summaries: proper selling points in harsh Chinese market, get yourselves successful.

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2026, I stand by my estimate, will be the year of the solid state battery in production.   Over 400Wh/kg, 40% lower manufacturing costs, higher safety should be presented. I think service life and robust manufacturing processes are still difficult steps, especially with solid electrolytes.    At least SAIC is now committing itself and underpinning my assessment. Other manufacturers have also written a lot about this in recent months and with the intermediate steps of the semi-solid-state battery, SSSB has ambitions to use them this year (Nio and also SAIC)   However, my assumption is supported much more by the consortium called China All-Solid-State Battery Collaborative Innovation Platform (CASIP). This is an alliance of major Chinese battery manufacturers, tech companies and car manufacturers (e.g. CATL, CALB, EVE Energy, SVOLT, Gotion High-Tech, BYD battery subsidiary FinDreams, BYD and Nio) with the aim of developing and producing competitive solid-state batteries and establishing supply chains. They no longer want to give up their lead.   Challenge accepted, I would say.   #battery #development #europe

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EV works No19 - Auto Beijing 2024 I did had the pleasure to be at the Auto Beijing to support our chinese collegues to communicate our productsand services at our Bosch booth. Fascinating mobility solutions, exiting times, interesting discussions, surprising cars and concepts at the show. China stays not only the biggest car market in the world, but also the fastest and most innovative. The ww electromobility is feeded by the dynamic and creative ideas of this market. What did I observe at the Auto show? - Almost every chinese OEM offer new MPV battery electric vehicles: 4 to 6 seater with good ranges, the latest battery generation with fast charging. Equipped with all communication- and entertainment devices which business men or families need for long distance driving. - Car seats that can be modified to most relaxing positions compared to business class travelling on airlines, while being on a long distance trip. - LCD or roll up screen and beamer for rear passenger; a relief for families on a long trip, were the kids enjoy the latest blockbuster movies. - Two big brands who manufacture mobiles -Huawei and Xiaomi- are offering cars. Something Apple worked on for more than 10 years and finally cancelled the plan early this year. Huawei cooperates with chinese OEMs like BAIC, Chery, Seres to produce and sell cars under the brand AITO (Adding Intelligence To Car), offering an attractive range of models with outstanding connected-, comfort- and communication solutions. - The most important car this year for sure was the new SU7, a sports car build by the mobile giant Xiaomi. The visitors waited patiently in lines for more than 1hr to be on the Xiaomi booth to have a closer look at the brand new SU7 which already created a huge order list of 70.000 cars. - Lei Jun founder and CEO of Xiaomi was the star of the Auto show. His appearance draw a large crowd of press and visitors following him through the exhibition. In China Lei Jun is called the chinese Steve Jobs and has 30 million followers - with his SU7 he formed a clear message pro electromobility which will push the market. - Outside the big cities the availabiliy of charging stations still has challenges. This is the push for the market segment hybrid. Due to BYD the mainstream for that Technology goes towards Plug- in hybrid, or on the othe side to BEV with a ICE powered range extender. Overall the cars at the Auto show had refreshing colors, modern and fascinating design elements on the inside and outside. The positions and sizes of the screens in the BEV vehicles meanwhile show the self confidence of the chinese OEMs. They know the needs and tastes of their customers. The western brands seem to struggle with the innovation speed of the local brands and their ability to adapt and change.

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A wake-up call for Europe's largest carmaker: VW considers factory closures in Germany to stay competitive As the European automotive industry faces unprecedented challenges, Volkswagen is taking a bold step to ensure its survival. In a move that could have far-reaching implications for the region's economy and workforce, VW is considering shutting factories in Germany - a decision that would mark the first time in the company's 87-year history. The reasoning behind this drastic measure? A savings programme launched last year has fallen short of its target, with operating margins at the VW brand sliding to 2.3% in the first half of 2024. With new competitors entering the European market and lower demand for electric vehicles in Europe, VW is no longer able to sustain the current level of employment. As Herbert Diess, the former CEO of Volkswagen, once said: "The industry is undergoing a revolution... We need a fundamental transformation." It seems that his successor, Oliver Blume, is taking those words to heart and exploring bold solutions to stay ahead of the competition. In fact, Blume recently stated that "the economic environment became even tougher, and new competitors are entering the European market. In this environment, we as a company must now act decisively." A sentiment shared by Diess during his tenure: "We need to be faster, more agile, and more innovative... We can't just wait for the crisis to pass." This decision will undoubtedly spark a heated debate about the future of work in Germany's industrial heartland. As an industry that has been a cornerstone of German economic success, it's crucial that we explore innovative solutions to address the challenges facing companies like VW. As a professional in the manufacturing sector or beyond, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this development and what implications it may have for your organisation. Share your insights in the comments below! #Volkswagen #AutomotiveIndustry #JobSecurity #EconomicChallenges #Innovation

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🚗🔋 China's Role in Driving Global EV Trends: According to a report earlier this year by Bain, China is leading the charge in the electric vehicle (EV) market, significantly shaping global trends. By dominating battery production, expanding EV infrastructure, and fostering strategic partnerships, China is setting the pace for global EV adoption. Western automakers are responding but remain years behind in scale and cost competitiveness. China's leadership is accelerating the transition to e-mobility worldwide, influencing policy, production, and consumer preferences. #EV #ElectricVehicles #China #Automotive #Sustainability #DigitalTransformation #GlobalTrends

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Daimler's hasty exit from Tesla shares or BMW's (temporary) hasty abandonment of its pioneering role in the e-car sector a few years ago or VW's reluctance to take a financial risk within the fast closing opportunity window as described in this article. The symptoms - i.e. the manifestations - may differ, but the basic causality - the risk aversion in the long-term/strategic projection - remains largely the same in all these (exemplary/representative) cases. Admittedly, one can win a lot, but can also lose a lot. But that's how that 'game' works on the global level!  There might be entire libraries full of literature on mindset change, but the discrepancy between theory and practice remains strikingly impressive! https://lnkd.in/ekh7Xxqm

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MOBILITY OF THE FUTURE – USING INSTEAD OF OWNING WITH #EDAG #CITYBOT. According to the World Economic Forum, two thirds of all people will be living in cities in 2050. In megacities with 10 million inhabitants or more. Across the globe, there are already 36 megacities, including New York, Moscow and London. This rapid growth could result in the essential infrastructure being unable to keep up, threatening cities with collapse, as local public transport, electricity, water supplies and waste collection become overburdened. We can all call to mind images of completely overcrowded subways or interminable traffic jams, with endless streams of vehicles every day trying to make their way along smog-filled, congested roads. In Madrid, for example, 80% of the total city area is taken up by driving or parked cars. The impact on people and the environment is immense. To counter this, urban and transport planners are focusing on “Smart Cities” – cities that, with the help of digital technologies, are to become more environmentally friendly, offer greater sustainability, mobility and safety, are more economical and quite simply more life enhancing. The term Smart City therefore stands for all-round development concepts for the city of the future. With the help of scenario technology, #EDAG has been looking into the famous crystal ball for you, and, on the basis of future-oriented influence parameters, forecasting how changes in society, politics or sociology, for instance, but also in technology might change the future, and predicting what developments can be expected in the next 5/10/15 years. It goes without saying that, as experts in integrated vehicle development, our chief interest is in the mobility of tomorrow. For the #CityBot, we combined our engineering competencies in the fields of vehicle engineering, electrics/electronics and production solutions. See you more in details: https://lnkd.in/d4u_t2tj #EDAG #SmartCity #Citybot #Innovation #AutonomousDriving #Sustainability

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With the global #automotive industry crucial to many economies and their investment strategies, German and Japanese #politicians must tread especially carefully in their relationship with China. Three Western brands each sold more than a million #vehicles in the Chinese domestic market in which Volkswagen has an 11% market share, Toyota 8% and Honda 5.5%. Alongside market leader and major Chinese exporter, BYD (12%), these four automotive industry behemoths dominate more than a third of the Chinese market. With sales of 5.2 million pure #BEVs accounting for 24% of total market sales of 22 million, another Western brand, Tesla, ranks second only to BYD with sales of 603,664 BEVs. Overall, Volkswagen and Toyota are the world’s two largest #carmakers with combined sales totalling around 21 million vehicles. This is comparable to Chinese domestic sales more than twice the size of the EU market of 10 million cars. Your Tesla might have been built in Berlin, but it’s just as likely to come from China, where #manufacturing costs are substantially lower. #futuremobility #industrialstrategy #privateequity #venturecapital #netzero #decarbonisation https://on.ft.com/3z2HVLX

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🔋 Exciting Insights from last week's Advanced Battery Power Conference There have been 2 days full of battery innovation and research at Münster with many talks, interesting speeches and high attendance numbers (>1,100). We FEV Europe GmbH had a stand at the booth and were able to hold many interesting discussions thanks to Bernd Hömberg, Prof. Martin Winter and Dirk Uwe Sauer. Here are my key findings: 📌 The most important prerequisites for EU competitiveness in the battery sector are low energy costs and industry funding. Current support from public authorities needs to be improved. In particular, EU research has made some gains in the development of solid-state battery cells, but CN consortia of cell suppliers will follow quickly 📌 Future cell formats will be mainly prismatic and cylindrical parallel, pouch with lower share 📌 Cell chemistry is evolving: LFP is further gaining traction; sodium-ion is becoming more interesting and NMC remains the choice for high energy applications. Interestingly, Solid-State technologies not have been in main focus beside the interest of the Chinese Suppliers forming a consortia… 📌 Main safety issues of last years due to thermal runaway / propagation are under control at system level, energy density vs. fast charging under discussion and cost reduction expected 📌 2nd life applications will be a niche; recycling and reprocessing will play an important role at the end of a battery product's life as customers in all sectors expect best performance 📌 Recycling is complex and not yet standardized, overcapacity is expected in the EU, but with little know-how; we can assume that the cost of battery cells will have to be increased in the future due to recycling, which will affect the attractiveness of the technologies; with the greatest negative impact on LFP, as the recycling of LFP is complex and the recycled raw materials are of low value 📌 the European gigafactories are starting operations, but initially see themselves as (fast) followers of the established suppliers => Battery production remains a challenge 📌 CO2 footprint of Li-Ion batteries is decreasing further to already <30kg CO2 / kWh with using renewable energy     Further I had the honor to lead a session for "battery application" together with Jörg Huslage with four interesting presentations 1️⃣ "Premium Platform Electric (PPE): development of superior charging performance" by Bernhard Rieger 2️⃣ "Battery-in-the cloud for modelbased adaptive control strategies" by Dr. Gerald Rämisch 3️⃣ "Safety Requirements of Stationary Energy Storage Systems for the North American Market" by Juergen Boeck 4️⃣ "Application Driven Differences in Design and Operation of Large-Scale Batteries" by Susanne Lehner 🙏 Thanks to all participants, speakers and organizers for the great event! #Battery #cell #fev

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I must confess that I am very impressed by Volkswagen Group's 🚗 consistent focus on electromobility. ⚡ It is good to see that Thomas Schmall, member of the Board of Management, shares this forward-looking view. Despite a temporary decline in sales of electric cars, VW is increasing its investment in battery technology. 🔋 This not only underlines the company's commitment to technological leadership, but also that it has understood where the future is heading. And only recently, the next bang: 💥 VW is terminating a large number of works agreements! 🏢 Layoffs are possible! What is VW trying to achieve with this? Does VW finally want to get rid of unnecessary structures? Traditionally, there is a lobby at VW that still clings to old structures. ⛔ A new type of engine - even if it isn’t really new anymore - also requires a new way of thinking at VW. The brakers and blockers must finally go, clearing the way for the future. 🚀 I’m convinced that you can't win the race for technological leadership with old recipes. Nothing less than the future is at stake. The first starting positions belong to others for a long time. At the moment, the German automotive industry is not even starting from the second row, no, we are at best in the midfield. But the race is long, not a sprint but rather a marathon, and there can and will still be time for improvement. 🏎️ 🏁  In such a long race, those who have a clear vision of the future and do not allow themselves to be unsettled by short-term fluctuations will be among the winners in the long term. 🏆  VW is keeping its strategy, acting now and taking the necessary first steps. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 for Mr. Schmall and the entire German automotive industry that many steps will follow!  May the best team win! 🏅 #emobility #innovation #automotive

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Today is a sad day for the fight against climate change and the enhancement of European competitiveness. The European Commission has decided to impose punitive tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) from China. Unfortunately, even scientific institutes that I previously considered leading in their field (like Kiel Institute for the World Economy) seem not to understand the implications of this decision and support the simplistic ideas of the Commission. 😔🌍   The irony is that the industry the EU aims to protect understands the developments that will unfold with the permanent implementation of these tariffs better and argues vehemently against it. I recently listened to Carlos Tavares of Stellantis , one of the most innovative CEOs in the automotive industry, who should actually have been vocally advocating for protection measures – but he did and does not. The European industry wants to transition to greener and more affordable individual mobility, yet suddenly the European Commission is slamming on the brakes, and very hard so. 🚗💨   Maybe you think I'm biased, and I am. I believe that Europe should participate in the global transformation of the automotive industry rather than be threatened and stifled like the European mobile phone industry was. I am also old enough to see that protectionism has never saved a struggling industry – opening up and supporting the domestic industry has. Comparing the Chinese automotive industry of 2005 and today makes clear what I mean. Only when the Chinese automotive industry found its own path and strengthened its research and development could it establish itself as a serious threat. It seems the European Commission has not observed this development. 🌐🚙   Furthermore, I fear, like Mr. Tavares, that after this round of tariffs, more will follow in the coming years to protect the European automotive industry against even more advanced Chinese vehicles. This also means that European consumers will have to pay dearly for then very non-competitive vehicles. Take Proton from Malaysia as a cautionary example – the consumers paid the price for it. 💸🚘   My hope is that the tariffs can be avoided, otherwise, the European automotive industry will follow the path of the European solar industry. I see strong car manufacturers in Europe, all invested in Chinese companies and wanting to learn from them (apologies if I hurt the pride of some Europeans). In the worst case, the tariffs will lead Chinese companies to localize their production in Europe and continue to build better EVs because the Commission is focusing on a (scientifically) nonsensical tariff dispute instead of pursuing a coherent policy for the transformation of the automotive industry. 🌞🔧   So I hope that there won't be majorities for these tariffs, even though some – even large and powerful – European countries will push for it. I rely on the economic reason of the elected politicians. 🤞🌍

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Here are four key points regarding #Volkswagen's progress in #China, based on the latest reports: 1. **Market Share**: Volkswagen has experienced a slight decrease in market share in China, from **15.1%** to **14.5%**. Despite this, they managed to increase vehicle deliveries by **1.6%** compared to the previous year, with a total of **3.2 million vehicles** delivered, including imports¹. 2. **Electric Vehicle (EV) Segment**: The EV segment is rapidly growing in China, and local manufacturers dominate this market, benefiting from significant government subsidies. Volkswagen's role in the EV market is relatively small, but they are making strides with models like the ID.3 and ID.4, which are among the top-selling electric vehicles². 3. **Innovation and Development**: Volkswagen is focusing on sustainable business models and has strengthened its development capabilities in China. The newly established Volkswagen China Technology Company (VCTC) aims to reduce the time to market for vehicles and components by **30%** through efficient development processes and advanced technologies¹. 4. **Competition and Challenges**: The Chinese market is highly competitive with over **100 local competitors**. Volkswagen is facing challenges due to the rise of local brands, which are innovating and gaining market share, partly due to state subsidies. However, Volkswagen is responding by enhancing its product portfolio and focusing on the 'in China for China' approach to cater to local market needs². These points highlight the complexities of #Volkswagen's situation in #China, balancing between competition, market dynamics, and strategic shifts towards electrification and innovation.

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Infineon Shakes Up Operations with Hundreds of Job Cuts in Germany #semiconductor #workforce #restructuring As an industry observer, I've been closely following the latest developments around Infineon's plans to reduce its workforce at the company's Regensburg, Germany plant. According to media reports, Infineon has announced in an internal email that it will be eliminating hundreds of positions as part of its broader restructuring strategy. The key details are: Infineon aims to implement these workforce reductions in a flexible manner, utilizing measures like flexible work arrangements, partial retirement, and voluntary departures to minimize the impact on employees. The Regensburg facility currently employs around 3,100 people. While facing these staff adjustments, Infineon emphasizes that Regensburg will remain a critical innovation hub and continue to play a key role. However, the German labor union IG Metall has reacted strongly, expressing shock at the scale of the planned job cuts. The union has accused Infineon's leadership of seeking to maximize profits by shifting production to lower-cost countries. This move by Infineon is part of the company's recently unveiled "Step Up" strategy, which aims to optimize its cost structure. While specific details are still forthcoming, the Regensburg plant layoffs appear to be the first wave of workforce reductions under this broader initiative. As the semiconductor industry navigates challenging macroeconomic conditions, companies are being forced to reevaluate their operations and cost structures. This Infineon case highlights the delicate balance between driving efficiency and maintaining employee trust and morale. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on how Infineon and other chip makers should approach these types of workforce adjustments. How can they best support impacted employees while also ensuring the long-term competitiveness of their businesses? Let's discuss. #semiconductor #workforce #restructuring #IndustrialRelations #SupplyChain

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🚗 Volkswagen: Navigating Challenges and Charting a Path Forward 📉 #Volkswagen's recent report highlights a 42% plunge in #operating #profit for Q3, alongside a 0.5% decline in revenues. With vehicle sales down 8.3% year-on-year and net liquidity at a concerning -€160.6 billion, the current landscape poses significant challenges. 🌍 Key Takeaways: Operating profit stands at €2.86 billion ($3.1 billion) Increased fixed costs and restructuring efforts are impacting performance Recent announcements of potential plant closures and workforce reductions signal a critical moment for the company As Volkswagen confronts these hurdles, the focus must shift to strategic initiatives that can restore its competitive edge in the global automotive market. Forward-Looking Strategies: 1️⃣ Embrace Electrification: Investing in electric vehicle (#EV) #technology is paramount. Expanding the EV portfolio can not only meet regulatory demands but also cater to the growing consumer preference for sustainable options. ⚡ 2️⃣ Streamline Operations: Implementing lean manufacturing principles can help reduce costs and improve efficiency. By optimizing supply chain processes and eliminating redundancies, Volkswagen can enhance profitability while maintaining quality. 🔧 3️⃣ Innovate and Diversify: Developing partnerships with tech firms for autonomous driving and connected car technology could position Volkswagen as a leader in automotive innovation. Diversifying into emerging markets and segments can also open new revenue streams. 📊 4️⃣ Enhance Workforce Engagement: Communicating transparently with employees and involving them in the transformation process is crucial. A motivated workforce is essential for driving change and fostering a culture of innovation. 🤝 5️⃣ Sustainability Focus: Prioritizing sustainability in production processes and product offerings can enhance brand reputation and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. 🌱 As Volkswagen embarks on this transformative journey, it must leverage its rich heritage while adapting to a rapidly changing market. By focusing on these strategic areas, Volkswagen has the potential to regain its competitiveness and emerge stronger than before. 🚀 Let’s engage: What other strategies do you think Volkswagen should consider to thrive in this evolving landscape? 🤔 #Volkswagen #AutomotiveIndustry #StrategicPlanning #ElectricVehicles #Innovation #Sustainability #Leadership https://lnkd.in/da9JxkCm

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Our SERES' Q1 2024 earnings report is out, and I think it speaks clearly of our relentless pursuit of innovative, efficient, and sustainable mobility. This past quarter, we brought in 3.67 billion USD in revenue, a year-over-year gain of more than 421.76%. More importantly, we delivered positive net profit. Our gross margin now stands at 21.5% thanks to sales of our hugely popular AITO M5, AITO M7 and AITO M9 models as well as ongoing technological advances, cost optimization, and operational excellence. Seres is now the fourth profitable NEV company globally. Looking toward the horizon, our new MF Platform, unveiled at Auto Show Beijing, will also be a key driver of this growth. This technological tour de force integrates class-leading safety, power, chassis, and software systems, delivering an unparalleled experience in our extended-range, pure electric, and hybrid variants. Meanwhile, we remain committed as ever to our vision of being an industry leader, setting new standards in intelligent, green, and sustainable manufacturing. Exciting times are indeed ahead! #SERES Q1/2024 FINANCIAL REPORT#

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