So far, the automotive industry has come through the Corona doldrums reasonably well. The car manufacturers balance sheets are looking good again, but it’s already clear that the relationship many customers have with their cars is changing. Important aspects include the question of sustainability and the power unit. Meanwhile the driving experience remains extremely relevant.

The future will not be an extension of the past. With new tech concepts and visions for future mobility, innovators and new players in the market are putting Germany’s current automotive industry to the test. Now the German OEMs – known internationally for their quality and design – must work out how to stay attractive. Tradition and enthusiasm can be synonyms, but they don’t have to be.

The question of attractiveness has many aspects. It’s not just about making customers enthusiastic; it’s about being an attractive company for employees and attractive for investors too. So far, the companies seem to have that all, but analysts and investors often mostly look at current profitability and margins and not so much at other aspects that might make a difference in the future. Will efficiency suffice, or does the market need more to believe and invest in? Will German companies prevail against overseas competitors who may be faster and bolder?

At the Handelsblatt Auto Summit, broadcasting live from our studio in Düsseldorf, our aim is to see and understand how BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and their suppliers are tackling today’s industry challenges – and what positions they are adopting in order to invent the car of the future.

Sebastian Matthes
Editor in Chief, Handelsblatt