AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE RISING STARS

What was your first automotive job and why were you interested in the industry?
I joined PSA Group (now part of Stellantis) as a young engineer at one of its manufacturing plants in France. On paper, my first position wasn’t exciting. I implemented manufacturing systems. However, I was willing to learn from specific experiences. I turned down a better paid opportunity in consulting and decided to take my chances at the factory. This position turned out to be a great way to get an overall view of operations. I also met a lot of people in the organization. It led to my second job as a manufacturing manager. As an engineer, the automotive industry had always fascinated me. That is because we put products into the market that are as technologically advanced as most airplanes, but with a production scale of washing machines.

Your greatest achievement?
I’m not necessarily proud of any specific achievements, but people tell me they appreciate the energy and dedication that I put into what I do. This is both at work and in my personal life. I believe in being fully engaged in doing the right thing. To me, no matter the price, it’s the only way to live a fulfilled life. These days, it’s also what our current global context requires. Especially as our industry is subject to so many revolutions at the same time.

What was your biggest failure and what did it teach you?
There is no such thing as a “biggest failure” in my view. I’ve failed many times, and I’m doing my best to avoid repeating the same mistakes. But failures are not dramatic. I feel worse for not daring to try than for failing when traying

What is your current challenge at work?
We launched The Future Is Neutral as the first 360 circular economy enterprise in the automotive world. This company holds many active enterprises that are already operating in the markets with several partners, serving numerous automakers, suppliers and individuals. We aim to provide well-rounded economic solutions for every auto industry stakeholder at each step of a vehicle’s life. This ranges from conception of the car to its end-of-life. Doing so requires us to open our capital, expand our partnership base, scale our existing operations and invent new companies like the one we are creating in the field of closed loop recycling of EV batteries. These are big engagements, important for Europe’s sovereignty as well as for business and environmental reasons. Succeeding requires many competencies and therefore partners. Aligning those partners’ interests to succeed at industry scale is what keeps my team awake at night  

What is the best advice you have ever received?
Watch out for the hole.

What advice would you give to a person considering a career in the auto industry?
Never stop learning and get ready to problem solve. Today, we ask our engineers not only to understand but to embrace sophisticated business concepts. We ask our commercial and purchasing managers to integrate complex laws of physics into their daily work. These days our organizational concepts and ways of working are inspired by advanced software design practices. With the energy transition to electric vehicles in Europe, we also need to understand the business reality of some companies located in places we have never directly had to deal with before. Further, we have to take into account a changing regulatory environment. Having said all that, the automotive industry remains one of the most exciting industries to work in because it’s at the forefront of innovation. It will be an exciting journey, but be prepared to solve some of the world’s biggest problems and never stop acquiring knowledge.

What job do you really want to have in the future?
So far, I have never thought about it. To me, a career is when you look in the rearview mirror, not in the windshield. I give all I have to my current job and I know good opportunities will come from that. It’s simple. I like that.

What do you do to relax?
I relax best with my wife and children. I also enjoy “apero time,” which is an evening aperitif, best enjoyed on a beach at sunset, after a surfing or windsurfing session and with no phone in sight. Since this doesn’t happen often, I also enjoy brewing good coffee on a Sunday morning, then preparing breakfast for everyone and putting an old vinyl record on the turntable.

What is your dream location to live?
I would have to choose between Maui, Hawaii, or Le Dossen, France. Unfortunately, the industry isn’t very developed in either place, yet.

What is your favorite driving song?
If I’m in the car with my family we blast Daft Punk’s “Alive” or anything by Koffi Olomide. With those tracks on, we are headbanging to the beat. When I drive by myself, I listen to Solomun’s “Cercle Festival” or to electronic music scene performers La Fine Equipe.

What was your favorite road trip and why?
I once helped move a friend from Brittany to his new apartment in Paris in less than 12 hours. That was eight hours of driving and four hours of moving. We drove back to Brittany the same night and were at the office on time the next morning. There was no sleep but 100 percent efficiency, friendship, copious amounts of coffee and for pretty rigorous exercise during those 12 hours. What else can one wish for?  

What was your first car?
A Volkswagen Polo. When I was working at Peugeot I had to park it far away from the factory’s entrance gate because driving a VW was an issue. I still think that’s funny.

Current car?
I drive a Renault Espace, a Triumph Street Triple motorcycle and a traditional bicycle with no electric assist. I also use the metro in Paris whenever I can because traffic there gets under my skin.

If you were a car, which one would you be?
An apple green Renault 5 retrofit to be electric. I have incredible memories connected to this car because I grew up riding in the combustion version in Cameroon, Africa.