Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Automotive News
  • Automobilwoche
  • Automotive News Canada
  • Automotive News China
Subscribe
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters
  • Login
  • HOME
    • Latest news
    • Automakers
    • Suppliers
    • New Product
    • Environment/Emissions
    • Sales By Market
    • On The Move
    • Auto Shows
    • Skoda plans to cut 2% of admin jobs
      Porsche considering entry to more sustainable F1 racing, report says
      UK sales plunge 36% in worst February since 1959
      Hyundai profit hit after Kona EV recall, but LG Chem seen bearing bulk of costs
    • Skoda plans to cut 2% of admin jobs
      Toyota will stay in Europe's minicar segment while others electrify or leave
      Honda to sell limited batch of Level 3 self-driving cars
      Stellantis waiting for UK support on Vauxhall plant
    • Opel Mokka 2020
      Stellantis battery JV seeks contracts with other automakers
      Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      3BIDEN-MAIN_i.jpg
      Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip output amid shortage
      Continental grille web.jpg
      Continental invests in object recognition startup
    • Toyota will stay in Europe's minicar segment while others electrify or leave
      Mercedes preps debut of EQE EV, a Tesla Model S rival
      Electric-only Volvo C40 to challenge Tesla Model 3
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
    • Valeo joins Bosch, GM, others in pledge for carbon neutrality
      GMEVBarra-MAIN_i.jpg
      GM aims to stop selling gasoline vehicles by 2035 in carbon neutrality pledge
      VW will appeal $20M Spanish diesel compensation ruling
      Death of diesel looms as automakers accelerate to electric future
    • UK sales plunge 36% in worst February since 1959
      Spain's February sales fell 38% in 'perfect storm'
      German sales plunge 19% in worst February since 2007
      Italy sales dropped 12% in February but incentives boosted demand from private buyers
    • Toyota names new CEO for Europe
      Audi appoints former Porsche exec as finance chief
      Sogefi appoints new CEO, virus weighs on 2020 results
      Audi's new chief engineer will accelerate EV push
    • Geneva Auto Show
    • Frankfurt Auto Show
    • Paris Auto Show
    • Beijing Auto Show
    • Shanghai Auto Show
  • Features
    • Long Read
    • Interview of the Month
    • Focus on Electrification
    • Focus on Mobility
    • Segment Analysis
    • Latest Launches
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Europe By The Numbers
    • Apple, Nio, other auto newcomers get creative to avoid Tesla's 'production hell'
      How Amazon, Google are transforming the auto industry
      EV-only future looks closer than ever in Europe
      European car retailing poised for shake-up as 'agency' model gains support
    • Renault CEO bets on 'winning horses' for turnaround
      Nvidia CEO says software will soon define the car, drive profit
      Tavares: Keeping PSA, FCA merger on track an 'incredible' achievement
      Renault CEO outlines ambitious revival plan
    • Opel Mokka 2020
      Stellantis battery JV seeks contracts with other automakers
      VW EVs.jpg
      VW's ID3 electric car stacks up well against Tesla in UBS teardown
      Mercedes preps debut of EQE EV, a Tesla Model S rival
      JLR axed electric Land Rover, Jaguar on MLA platform to focus on better tech
    • Honda to sell limited batch of Level 3 self-driving cars
      VW tests self-driving taxis in Germany ahead of 2025 launch
      Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      Luminar-MAIN_i.jpg
      Who's who in the lidar world
    • EVs make huge gains helped by incentives, tougher CO2 rules
      EVs, surging SUVs to hit Europe's biggest segment
      Wagons hold market share, but costly EV shift looms
      Electrification gains speed in Europe's key compact segment
    • Hyundai counts on Bayon's 'distinctive' design to make small SUV stand out
      Mercedes positions C-Class as sportier S-Class
      Nissan Qashqai gets better handling thanks to new platform
      ARTURA-MAIN_i.jpg
      McLaren embarks on deeper electrified future with Artura
    • How GKN is transforming to gain from e-powertrain shift
      Marelli CEO expects e-powertrains to provide long-term boost
      Veoneer boss expects to reach key milestone this quarter
      How Faurecia aims to become a hydrogen leader
    • Europe sales by model, January: Porsche, Lamborghini, Volvo defy down market; Toyota Yaris No. 1-seller for the month, VW Golf finishes 4th
      Top 10 sellers by market, January: Skoda Octavia finishes No. 1 or No. 2 in eight markets
      Russia sales fall 4% in January as rebound stalls
      CORRECTED: Turkey sales, January: Ford, Kia, Opel, BMW rise
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Commentary
    • Guest columnists
    • Jaguar Land Rover Gerry McGovern
      Gerry McGovern is right man to steer Jaguar reinvention
      A 'genius idea' gets a second chance in Renault's mobility strategy
      Skoda connectivity features need to offer more 'must-have' allure
      Will an all-electric Jaguar be sold off?
    • Understanding the impact of design on marketing, brand and user experience
      Ex-Aston Martin CEO Palmer calls on UK to intensify battery commitment
      Why Apple must target the $230B luxury car market
      Apple car: Who will build it? Magna Steyr possible candidate
  • Photos
    • Photo Galleries
    • Geneva Photo Gallery
    • Beijing Photo Gallery
    • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
    • Paris Photo Gallery
    • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Volvo C40 Recharge
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Hyundai Bayon
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Honda HR-V Hybrid
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2021)
    • koenigsegg-gemera-front-quarter-passenger-01.jpg
      view gallery
      14 photos
      Koenigsegg Gemera
      view gallery
      21 photos
      Fiat New 500
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Aston Martin V12 Speedster
      view gallery
      13 photos
      Audi A3 Sportback 2020
    • At the Beijing show, sales rebound and EV boom mix with murky outlook
      3BEIJING-MAIN_i.jpg
      Beijing show to highlight competition for local EV makers
      Beijing auto show delayed due to coronavirus
      Maserati will unveil Ghibli hybrid at Beijing show
    • view gallery
      11 photos
      Mercedes-Benz Vision EQS
      view gallery
      11 photos
      Renault Captur
      view gallery
      5 photos
      Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB 53
      view gallery
      10 photos
      Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe
    • view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux SA2.0 SUV
      view gallery
      8 photos
      VinFast Lux A2.0 sedan
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Seat Tarraco
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Toyota Corolla station wagon
    • view gallery
      4 photos
      Nio ET Preview
      view gallery
      7 photos
      Infiniti Qs Inspiration concept
      view gallery
      5 photos
      BMW 3-series LWB
      view gallery
      9 photos
      Mini Clubman
  • Podcasts
  • Car Cutaways
  • EVENTS
    • ANE Congress Conversations
    • ANE Shift
    • ANE Rising Stars
    • ANE Eurostars
    • ANE Leading Women
    • Watch Again
      • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
      • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
      • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
      • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
    • Meet the 2020 winners
    • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
  • More
    • Publishing Partners
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
    • Media Kit
    • About Us
    • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
    • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    • Toyota Europe
    • UFI Filters
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Supplier spotlight
May 19, 2020 12:00 AM

Head of European suppliers group outlines plan to confront coronavirus crisis

Peter Sigal
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    “We need to make Europe an attractive marketplace. So, we have to raise our voice and have an influence on politicians,” CLEPA President Thorsten Muschal said.

    Thorsten Muschal, executive vice president sales and program management at Faurecia, was elected to lead the European suppliers association CLEPA in January. He was immediately tested by the auto industry's biggest challenge in recent memory, the coronavirus pandemic. He spoke with Automotive News Europe News Editor Peter Sigal about how CLEPA members, which have expressed growing worries in recent surveys, can weather the crisis, and what the group’s future priorities are.

    What are you doing to help your members, large and small, survive right now?
    What we are experiencing right now shows that a European voice and aligned behavior joined in a shared policy approach is more needed than ever. The big members, the Bosches, the ZFs, the Continentals — they all have put task forces in place to manage social systems and protect their people in different countries. They are looking for coordinated political and financing support. For smaller companies it’s more a question of survival.

    Meet the boss

    Name: Thorsten Muschal
    Title: CLEPA President
    Age: 52
    Main challenge: Helping Europe’s suppliers navigate the coronavirus crisis and beyond.
     

    How can the supply chain keep itself afloat, with factories shut and orders in limbo?
    It’s key to make sure that everybody pays to keep the supply chain up and running so the smaller companies don’t fall into bankruptcy. The first thing we say is that nobody should take advantage of this situation. We have seen in a crisis that not everything is rational. We need to push this discipline. It’s a question of ethics.

    What lessons could be learned?
    In every crisis there is always an “after.” But this one is different. We have a lot to learn. We are all learning the lesson that globalization is a challenging topic, and we see how difficult it is to keep our supply chain working. We also need to think about how we start up again. The megatrends [such as electrification, autonomy and connectivity] will be back and we should not completely neglect our whole agenda.

    Outside of the coronavirus pandemic, what is the most pressing issue for CLEPA and its members?
    Let me start by looking at the extremely big picture. The auto industry is under a lot of pressure, and it's facing its biggest transformation ever. It started several years ago with Dieselgate [Volkswagen Group’s diesel-emissions cheating scandal], and now we have digitalization, carbon neutrality and autonomous vehicles. We need to build Europe into an automotive industry powerhouse. To do that, to build on our strengths, we need to make Europe an attractive marketplace. So, we have to raise our voice and have an influence on politicians.

    ANE's targeted products

    Automotive News Europe has added a wide range of special newsletters. Click here to learn more and to subscribe.

     

    How do you improve Europe’s competitiveness?
    It's always a big bet when you invest in a new technology. Suppliers have to make decisions. Should you localize an R&D center in Spain, Portugal, Germany or France? Where can you find the right conditions and the right political framework? Europe is perfectly positioned globally. On the one side there's the market in China, on the other is the U.S. market. If Europe shows up at the right time with the right, attractive market conditions, we can build on our leading position. We have a very strong, diverse supply industry that covers a lot of areas.

    What sets Europe’s supply base apart?
    Innovation is a key differentiator for Europe. We have all the ingredients. We have strong European customers, which are leading automakers, and we have the strongest supply base in the world. This is a position we need to defend and make even stronger. But we are undergoing a huge transformation.

    The auto industry did not get what it wanted in the last round of EU emissions targets. How will you approach legislators in Brussels to make your voice heard?
    We need to be realistic. The crisis and scandals that started four or five years ago were created by the auto industry. We have hurt our reputation. That's a fact, whether you like it or not. A lot of policymakers are very critical of this. What we need to do is demonstrate the things we are doing to work toward decarbonization, to make cars safer and more customer friendly. There is a lot of work in front of us, especially with a new European Council. We need to provide the different commissions and with studies and facts, and then have an intensive exchange of views. It's not only about the cars and the emissions they product. It’s also about the infrastructure and business models.

    Can you convince legislators to look beyond tailpipe emissions to the whole CO2 picture?
    Tailpipe emissions are certainly critical, and our supply base and automakers are working to improve them. However, we need to tackle emissions in a broader sense, including vehicle life cycle, the grid and infrastructure, and charging stations. We also need to gain end-consumer acceptance. People have questions that need answers: What kind of powertrain should I buy? What is the resale value of my car going to be? Where can I charge my car?

    We are still awaiting EU certification for higher levels of autonomous vehicles, including so-called Level 3. Is that a problem for suppliers and automakers?
    We see an ongoing trend for stronger and improved assistance systems, but the fully autonomous car remains a long-term vision. There are questions of legislation, liability, mixed traffic between autonomous and traditional cars, and also consumer behavior. Regarding legislation, it reinforces what we expect from policymakers: strong support for the industry to bring ideas into reality, with the proper legislation.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Dana acquires software provider Pi Innovo
    Recommended for You
    Dana acquires software provider Pi Innovo
    Dana acquires software provider Pi Innovo
    Infineon says it can meet chip demand with new Austria plant
    Infineon says it can meet chip demand with new Austria plant
    Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip output amid shortage
    Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip output amid shortage
    Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    Sponsored Content: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
    Sign up for free newsletters
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    Get Free Newsletters

    Sign up and get the best of Automotive News Europe delivered straight to your email inbox, free of charge. Choose your news – we will deliver.

    You can unsubscribe at any time through links in these emails. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Get 24/7 access to in-depth, authoritative coverage of the auto industry from a global team of reporters and editors covering the news that’s vital to your business.

    SUBSCRIBE NOW
    Connect with Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Instagram

    Founded in 1996, Automotive News Europe is the preferred information source for decision-makers and opinion leaders operating in Europe.

    Contact Us

    1155 Gratiot Avenue
    Detroit MI  48207-2997
    Tel: +1 877-812-1584

    Email Us

    ISSN 2643-6590 (print)
    ISSN 2643-6604 (online)

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • 2020 Media Kit
    • Advertise with Us
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Awards
    • Rising Stars
    • Eurostars
    • Leading Women
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Automotive News Europe
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • HOME
      • Latest news
      • Automakers
      • Suppliers
      • New Product
      • Environment/Emissions
      • Sales By Market
      • On The Move
      • Auto Shows
        • Geneva Auto Show
        • Frankfurt Auto Show
        • Paris Auto Show
        • Beijing Auto Show
        • Shanghai Auto Show
    • Features
      • Long Read
      • Interview of the Month
      • Focus on Electrification
      • Focus on Mobility
      • Segment Analysis
      • Latest Launches
      • Supplier Spotlight
      • Europe By The Numbers
    • Opinion
      • Blogs
      • Commentary
      • Guest columnists
    • Photos
      • Photo Galleries
      • Geneva Photo Gallery
      • Beijing Photo Gallery
      • Frankfurt Photo Gallery
      • Paris Photo Gallery
      • Shanghai Photo Gallery
    • Podcasts
    • Car Cutaways
    • EVENTS
      • ANE Congress Conversations
        • Watch Again
          • July 9: EU green deal in the COVID-19 new normal
          • July 16: Assisted or Autonomous Driving
          • July 23: Challenges in Electrification
          • July 30: The Road Ahead for Europe
      • ANE Shift
      • ANE Rising Stars
        • Meet the 2020 winners
        • Watch the 2020 Rising Stars awards again
      • ANE Eurostars
      • ANE Leading Women
    • More
      • Publishing Partners
        • Capgemini: Securing the industry's future through a radical rethink
        • Capgemini: Succeeding with the automated driving journey through AI
        • Toyota Europe
        • UFI Filters
      • Social Media
        • Facebook
        • Instagram
        • LinkedIn
        • Twitter
      • Contact Us
      • Media Kit
      • About Us