Managing Director - Clarion, Forvia
Ralf Drauz, Managing Director - Clarion, Forvia
Q: What interested you about joining the Advisory Board for AutoTech: Europe? A: With a focus on connectivity and autonomous driving, AutoTech: Europe continues upon a 20-year legacy formerly known as Telematics Update. This is more than ever up-to-date and covers the core of what we at FORVIA work on with our OEM customers in the electronics surrounding.
Q: What hot topics are you exploring most in the automotive sector currently? A: Mobility remains at the heart of people’s lives, and I see 3 areas covering the hot topics in the automotive sector: (1) electrification & energy // (2) automated & safe driving // (3) personalized experiences with a digital & sustainable cockpit. Those somehow reflect known megatrends and are strongly intertwined.
Q: Are there any examples of a product or service from outside of the automotive industry that you have taken inspiration from? What was it, and how was it inspirational? A: Consumer electronics and especially the mobile phone industry remain an inspiration for the automotive industry. Ensuring digital continuity for an attractive and personalized experience are what consumers wish for. At FORVIA we enable this with the Faurecia Aptoide Automotive App Store, which provides consumers a similar experience to what they know from their smartphones. Therewith, we support OEMs to enabling people to stay connected, productive, and entertained on the move.
Q: What measures are you taking to comply or get ahead of competitors and meet the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) with your organisation’s sustainability strategy?
A: On June 6th FORVIA became the first automotive company with a netzero target approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi). We combine business growth with environmental protection when rethinking our processes and products. New materials are a part of this, with an own division for sustainable materials. The circular economy is depicted in our aftersales repair services for vehicle electronics.