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Innovation

Driving the future – a podcast series

Fueled by such factors as the climate crisis and the digital revolution, the automotive industry is transforming rapidly.

A typical automotive company today faces the task of transforming from a component manufacturer or assembler to a software and technology company, while also navigating electrification and the race to sustainability.

At the same time, the company may well be striving to become a mobility player, to move from a siloed economy towards an open, flexible shared partner ecosystem, and to reduce time to market by accelerating automation and efficiency.

And, of course, the company simultaneously needs to keep making cars, and to ensure that existing assets are still performant.

Challenges like these call for enterprise-wide agility coupled with rapid innovation.

Episode 44:  Closing the gap: Localizing battery production in Europe

In this episode of Driving the Future podcast, we spotlight insights from the Rising Stars Speak by Automotive News Europe. Join Sebastian Wolf of Volkswagen’s PowerCo and Chiara Kalenberg from Capgemini as they delve into how localized battery production can supercharge Europe’s electric vehicle ambitions—and help close the gap with global leaders like CATL.

They unpack the regulatory hurdles facing the industry, the game-changing potential of digital innovation, and the essential skills needed to build a resilient, sustainable battery ecosystem.

Discover how collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and bold thinking are driving the next wave of Europe’s EV revolution.

Tune in to hear how these rising stars are shaping the future of mobility. Buckle up, it’s time to start Driving the Future. Subscribe now for regular updates!

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Experts

Jean-Marie Lapeyre – Our expert

Jean-Marie Lapeyre

EVP and Chief Technology & Innovation Officer, Global Automotive Industry
Jean-Marie Lapeyre works with automotive clients to develop and launch actionable technology strategies to help them succeed in a data and software-driven world.

Joonas Laine

Client

John Sparrefors

Account Executive Geely Group Brands and Automotive and Manufacturing Expert
John Sparrefors is a Director at Capgemini and currently holds the position as Account Executive for Geely Group Brands, including brands such as Lynk & Co, Polestar and Lotus Cars. Furthermore, John is an automotive and manufacturing SME with a niche skillset on the Chinese automotive market; having lived in China for 3 years, being the Head of Nordic Automotive and Manufacturing sector in Asia Pacific.

Ralf Blessmann

Executive Vice President and Head of Automotive Division, Germany
Ralf Blessmann leads the automotive sector in Germany. Sustainability and data sovereignty are his priority topics and key to help automotive clients in transforming their business.

Pascal Feillard

Head of Business Transformation, Capgemini Engineering
Pascal draws on his many years of experience in the Automotive industry in his current position, where he is responsible for ensuring that Capgemini‘s partnerships facilitate software-driven transformation in order to give automotive clients the future that they and their customers want.

Dr. Philipp Haaf

Senior director, Automotive, Capgemini Invent
As the Head of Electric Mobility at Capgemini Invent, Philipp Haaf is an acknowledged thought leader in electric mobility. He draws on 11 years’ experience in this rapidly changing area to help automotive OEMs and suppliers seize what he describes as the infinite opportunities of digital transformation.