Automotive News Europe - May 2019 - 3

AUTOMOTIVE NEWS EUROPE

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS

Rising stars

Quantum leap
A

s innovation becomes increasingly
software-driven, carmakers able to
derive new revenue streams from endless lines of encoded ones and zeros will
enjoy a competitive edge over rivals. To
gain this advantage companies such as
Volkswagen Group, Daimler, Ford, Robert Bosch and Denso are looking into using quantum computers because of their
ability to quickly and accurately perform
thousands of operations in parallel using a fraction of the energy of today's
digital computers. There are hurdles to
overcome before "quantum supremacy" has been reached. Yet automotive
companies are already considering the
broader implications this potentially
game-changing technology poses. We
analyze the effect quantum computers
could have on the automotive industry in
our cover story (Pages 6-8).
Polestar has signaled its intention to
challenge Tesla's early leadership in the
fledgling niche for full-electric premium
midsize models that cost between 40,000
and 60,000 euros with the debut of the
Polestar 2. CEO Thomas Ingenlath tells us
which markets will be key for the Polestar
2 in an interview (Page 10).
The Volkswagen brand is getting ready
to launch what may eventually become
the industry's top-selling family of elec-

tric vehicles. VW brand sales chief Jürgen
Stackmann tells us about the demand he
expects for the first member of VW's new
EV lineup (Page 12).
Rolls-Royce posted its best-ever global
sales in 2018 with a volume of more
than 4,000 ultraluxury cars. The BMW
Group subsidiary is likely to set a new
all-time high this year because of continued strong demand for the Cullinan, the
brand's first SUV. CEO Torsten MüllerÖtvös discussed the brand's sales surge
as well as its shift to electric powertrains
with us (Page 14).
Peugeot hopes to draw buyers to the
company's first mass-market full-electric
vehicle -- the e-208 -- with a long-term
battery warranty and lease rates that are
comparable to internal combustion versions. The favorable terms are part of
Peugeot's ambitions to have the e-208
account for 15 percent of its new small
hatchback's global volume (Page 16).
European light-commercial vehicle sales
outgained the passenger car market in
2018, buoyed by a healthy economy and
new launches. But the sector will face
challenges this year, led by uncertainties
surrounding a September 1 deadline for
emissions certification. We analyze the
LCV market (Pages 18-20).

wenty-one young and talented
automotive executives have been
named as Rising Stars in the automotive industry by Automotive News
Europe. The ninth annual Rising
Stars awards recognize fast-climbing leaders who are already taking
big steps forward in the industry.
From automakers to suppliers, manufacturing to connected cars, engineering to sales, each Rising Star
has spearheaded change and made
progress up the career ladder.
For the list of the 2019 winners
and some words of wisdom from
these new-generation leaders, go to
Pages 30&32. For their full profiles
visit anerisingstars.com

European automakers used the Shanghai
auto show to debut key models aimed at
building their credentials as providers of
electric and autonomous vehicles. We showcase four head-turning models (Page 28).
Rainer Link, who oversees engineering at
the ePowertrain division of GKN, is leading the UK supplier's push into electric
axles and drive units. Link says the global
market for conventional awd systems will
continue to grow for a decade, but after
that, electrified units will start to dominate the market. He explains why in an
interview (Page 34).
Europe's automakers, auto engineering
groups and parts suppliers all enjoyed a
strong recovery in shareholder value in the
first three months of 2019 following significant losses in the preceding quarter. We
look at the winners and losers (Page 49).
BMW and Daimler are separately pouring billions of euros into developing
their own flexible platforms capable of
accommodating any powertrain. The
questions we ask in our Final Word column is whether it is time for the German automakers to consider joint development of an EV platform to reduce
costs (Page 50).

Europe's mass-market small SUV segment is growing so rapidly that key
players such as Ford, Volkswagen, Jeep and Opel are doubling their model
offerings. Last year the segment -- which continues to be led by the Renault
Captur -- outpaced growth in all others except electric cars, with a 37 percent increase to 1.83 million units. The boost given by new models such as
the Volkswagen T-Roc (shown), Citroen C3 Aircross and Seat Arona was
such that small SUVs came close to passing the compact SUV segment.
We look at what's next for this fast-expanding sector (Pages 22&24).

MAY 2019

Enjoy the issue!

Luca Ciferri,
Associate Publisher and Editor

www.autonewseurope.com

http://www.anerisingstars.com http://www.autonewseurope.com

Automotive News Europe - May 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automotive News Europe - May 2019