AUTO SHOW-FRANKFURT/ANALYST Time for rapid reactions, not completely new strategies, says analyst at Frankfurt auto show

Record ID: 141114

  • Title: AUTO SHOW-FRANKFURT/ANALYST Time for rapid reactions, not completely new strategies, says analyst at Frankfurt auto show
  • Date: 15th September 2015
  • Summary: FRANKFURT, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 15, 2015) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ARRIVING FOR MEDIA DAY AT FRANKFURT'S INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW (IAA) LAMBORGHINI STAND / PORSCHE STAND VARIOUS OF CAR MODELS ON DISPLAY AT PORSCHE STAND VW STAND YELLOW SKODA CAR ON DISPLAY DAIMLER'S SMART CARS ON DISPLAY, TWO OF THEM UNDER COVER SMART CARS (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL LEAD ANALYST, PWC, CHRISTOPH STUERMER, SAYING: "Especially the manufacturers that have a very international footprint have had some very good years. Of course there's some concerns about the situation in China, Brazil, India partially, Russia, of course. But these challenges have always existed. I think this is a time where it is more important to prepare for rapid reactions rather than to try to look for completely new strategies." SMART CAR AT BRABUS STAND ON DISPLAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL LEAD ANALYST, PWC, CHRISTOPH STUERMER, SAYING: "I think the automotive industry has a lot to learn from Google and Google has a lot to learn from the automotive industry. Likewise, the automotive industry has a lot to offer to Google and Google has a lot to offer for the automotive industry. So what I think we're seeing here is much more of a befriending than the establishment of a competition. I do not see the Google car on the horizon, but I see a lot of services on the horizon that may be very useful to have in a car." SMART FORTWO CARS ON DISPLAY (SOUNDBITE) (English) GLOBAL LEAD ANALYST, PWC, CHRISTOPH STUERMER, SAYING: "Well the fully autonomous, the fully robotized car is just not there yet. The technology is not there, especially in urban environments when you have pedestrians and bikes and little dogs. This is just not there. But there are all kinds of assisting functions in the car that already today make driving much safer and we will have more and more of those functionalities, and the main focus will be on comfort and safety. And step by step they will become more integrated, more intelligent and when it's absolutely safe to use them, then I think they will be combined into a car that drives fully autonomously." CHAIRS IN FRONT OF COVERED CAR DISPLAY, WAITERS CARRYING DRINKS
  • Embargoed: 30th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA7W60I0O0BIA85UC62EGQL83SQ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: As the second day (September 15) of the 66th International Motor Show (IAA) at the Messe Frankfurt fair kicked off, one industry expert said that the time was right to "prepare for rapid reactions" as opposed to seeking "completely new strategies".
    The annual auto show is the world's largest, demonstrating the latest technology and trends from global carmakers. A diverse range of brands from Lamborghini to Skoda are putting their most current features and models on display, with over 1,000 exhibitors from 39 different countries participating.
    A rise in demand for vehicles in the United States and Europe has most automakers at this year's show feeling positive. But there is still worry about recent economic downturn in some top manufacturing countries.
    "Of course there's some concerns about the situation in China, Brazil, India partially, Russia, of course. But these challenges have always existed. I think this is a time where it is more important to prepare for rapid reactions rather than to try to look for completely new strategies," global lead analyst for PWC, Christoph Stuemer, said.
    Carmakers also face pressure to ramp up technology, with tech companies like Google and Apple working towards Internet-connected, self-driving vehicles. Despite this, experts agree that new electronic know-how could be a help, rather than a hindrance to the industry.
    "I think the automotive industry has a lot to learn from Google and Google has a lot to learn from the automotive industry. Likewise, the automotive industry has a lot to offer to Google and Google has a lot to offer for the automotive industry. So what I think we're seeing here is much more of a befriending than the establishment of a competition. I do not see the Google car on the horizon, but I see a lot of services on the horizon that may be very useful to have in a car," Stuemer said.
    The IAA runs until September 27.
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