China's automotive revolution: threat or chance for Germany?

China's automotive revolution: threat or chance for Germany?

In the automotive industry it rumbles tremendously! China's car manufacturers are increasingly conquering the European market and putting pressure on the local giants. This is noticed, among other things, the words of Michael Zyciora, the former design director of Volkswagen, who is now working at Changan, one of the emerging Chinese manufacturers in Chongqing. He describes in an interview with the FAZ that the adaptation to Chinese culture and way of working is anything but a walk.

Changan is called a global player, which can celebrate success, especially in the Middle East. The requirements of the Chinese customers include not only high quality and innovative technologies, but also modern design. While Changan plans to gradually enter the European market, other Chinese manufacturers have already discovered the advantages of e-mobility for themselves. The current situation describes the KFZ-Betrieb European automobile manufacturers who could head to an annual loss of over 7 billion euros by 2030.

growth and challenges

The developments cannot be overlooked in the industry: Chinese brands like BYD push onto the market and try to gain a foothold there. The forecasts are alarming. The paragraph of European manufacturers in China could decrease by 39 percent by 2030 and could increase to 1.5 million units produced in China. The first effects are already evident on the stock market, since China's electric car manufacturer increases the pressure on European automotive groups, such as the Manager Magazine reported.

But what are the causes of this Asian upswing? The Chinese brands are characterized by well -coordinated and data -based processes in corporate management. Zyciora describes what the daily work at Changan looks like: Board meetings are structured and focused on data, which is a completely new experience for him. Working morality and efficiency in China are also remarkable, long working weeks are not uncommon.

an opportunity for Europe?