ZF Asia Pacific and India President Holger Klein

Q1, What are your expectations for the auto show?

A1: This year, the Beijing auto show may kick-start a new rhythm for the global automotive market, defining the “new normal” during the post-pandemic era. It will mark the full return of the Chinese automotive industry and consumer sentiments. I expect the strong presence of Chinese homegrown brands, technology and products like never before. This will indicate good momentum of the Chinese automotive industry and growing significance in the global scene.

Q2, With the pandemic slowing down, China’s automotive market has started to recover in the second quarter. What do you predict for China's auto market in the near future? The current recovery trend shows a “V” shape in sales, what do you think would be in the next stage? A “√” shape, a “W” shape, an “M” shape, or a “√¯” shape?

A2: I could offer an “X” to represent the uncertainty, diversity and potentials of the Chinese automotive market. Several dynamics are still active, indicating livelihood. Yet there is also some uncertainty. For example, how do we address needs for both product localization and globalization of technology trends to strike an optimal scale? We should also consider whether urban planning or car design should spearhead smart city development, and many other factors. “X” also hints the unlimited potentials we see here.

Q3, Can you use a few keywords to describe your predictions for the Chinese and global automotive industries in the next five years?

A3: clean, electrification, smart, connectivity, sharing

Q4, The virus has drastically affected people's lives. It has also caused people to rethink many aspects of life, including their way of traveling, and business management. From your perspective, what are the most important lessons we can take away from this pandemic? Can you also use a few keywords to summarize the impact?

Q5, What do you think about the social responsibilities that the automotive companies have taken during the epidemic?

A4 & A5 : COVID-19 tested our management process and the resiliency of our people. For months, no one missed our daily checks for individual health, regulation compliance and customer support. We have seen zero infections at work from our China operations and no delayed delivery to our customers.

The automotive industry in China has been a unique and important contributor in fighting COVID-19 locally. The sector also represented a major force in preparing, motivating and coordinating the resumption of production. This tells the importance of secondary industries in a healthy, sustainable society.

Q6, In the post-epidemic era, how will China's position and role be affected in the global automotive industry? What do you think the players should do next?

A6: Over the last few years, China has evolved from a consumption market to more of a leader in the global industry. Mega trends in the Chinese and global auto market will continue to have a strong global effect.

Being the first and currently the only region that has resumed near full-scale production, all players in the Chinese automotive industry should act fast to support the sector and tap the opportunities here. The current reality is “made in China, for China” and it should certainly continue. As we support our Chinese customers’ further success on the global stage, we do not shy away from using our global networks to enable efficient development of the Chinese brands across worldwide markets. Our company has already entered the “led by China” phase and we want to use our experience to support the country.