October 2nd 2024, Bálna Budapest
A monumental transition is underway in the automotive sector, marked by uncertainty amid global adversities. The urgency of the transformation is underscored by a backdrop of radically changing circumstances - including tightening climate policies, rapid technological advances, military and geopolitical risks, shifting consumer sentiment, revamped supply chains, uncertain access to critical raw materials, and a constant shortage of skilled labour. Both opportunities and threats have never been greater for the industry.
The CEE Forum for the Automotive Transition 2024 is an essential event dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the European automotive industry. This forum brings together industry leaders, experts, policymakers, key stakeholders, and thought leaders to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of the automotive sector. We will tackle the toughest topics, questions, and debates through in-depth roundtables, high-impact presentations with top-notch speakers and expert moderators, as well as valuable takeaways from excellent networking opportunities. As the industry undergoes its most significant evolution yet and leaders adapt to constant crises and change management, our goal is not only to delve into critical issues but also to roll up our sleeves and set the roadmap to overcome these challenges.
The event is free but registration is required. Are you joining us?
Please register using the form below and we will send you more details about the conference soon. Looking forward to seeing you there!
8:15 – 8:40 REGISTRATION AND WELCOME COFFEE
I.Session - Global landscape and competitiveness overcoming challenges and seizing oppurtunities
As the automotive industry undergoes its most significant evolution in the past fifty years, it faces challenges never seen before. At the same time, opportunities are on the horizon, and industry leaders are ready to boldly embrace the new chances that the 21st century has to offer. We are at a critical crossroads, with centuries-old foundations being overturned, prompting us to ask fundamental questions. The future of the automotive industry depends on innovation. Industry players are pouring billions of euros into R&D investments, yet it is highly doubted whether these technologies will withstand the test of time, live up to changing consumer demands, and, above all, address the looming climate crisis. Innovation, electrification, digitalisation, and automation are the buzzwords of our time, while the ultimate goal remains competitiveness and paving the road to a successful future.
8:40 – 9:00 Welcome speech - Márton Nagy, Minister for National Economy
9:00 – 9:10 Keynote: Critical times ahead: prospects for the EU mobility sector amid global adversities
Speaker: Erwin Heeneman, Chair of EIT Urban Mobility Association
9:10 – 9:30 Presentation: Automotive agenda in Europe - Global challenges and the EU industrial strategy
Speaker: Mark Nicklas, Head of Unit for Automotive, DG GROW, European Commission
9:30 – 9:50 Presentation: Futureproof or total crash? - Huge question marks in the Car Industry Innovation
Speaker: Representative of BMW Group
9:50 – 10:10 Presentation: Winning the Global Race: Climate Goals vs. Economic Growth
Speaker: Sigrid de Vries, Director General, ACEA -European Automobile Manufacturers' Association – TBC
10:10-11:00 Paradigm Shift in the Automotive Industry: Global Challenges from a European and CEE Regional Perspective - Roundtable with top industry leaders
Moderator:
Traian Urban, Director of Innovation Hub East at EIT UM (Czechia)
Panellists:
Michael Shu, CEO, BYD Europe – TBC
Gabor Ormosy, CEO, AutoWallis Group (Hungary)
Charles Wassen, European Operations Director, Dana Hungary (Hungary)
Jens Bühler, CEO, Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing Hungary – TBC
11:00 – 11:15 COFFEE BREAK
II. Session– In the forefront of innovation cities drive the cange in new mobility
The era of smart cities and cutting-edge technologies is revolutionising urban living. Picture a future where traffic flows seamlessly, sustainable transport options are readily available, and innovative mobility solutions reduce noise and pollution. Cities drive the change in the transformation, but as we approach, a major question arises: are they ready to fully embrace and implement these groundbreaking innovations? While the answer remains uncertain, it is clear that new mobility solutions and innovative technologies will ultimately lead to greener, more efficient urban environments. Clean air, easy mobility, spacious public realms, effortless human connections, revitalised urban life, vibrant and resilient communities – if we succeed, this is the future that awaits us.
11:15 –11:30 Presentation: AI-driven transformation in Urban Mobility
11:30 – 11:50 Presentation: Changing the world in Living Labs – Live testing the pathways to sustainable transition in urban mobility
Speaker: Georgia Ayfantopoulou, Deputy-Chair of the Managing Board at EIT Urban Mobility Association / Head of Thessaloniki Smart Mobility Living Lab & co-leader of ENoLL working group on mobility (Greece)
11:50 – 12:05 Presentation: Readiness to adopt transforming mobility in cities (new mobility solutions, electrification, autonomous driving, digitalisation in cities, inclusive mobility - car shareing, motosharing)
Speaker: Manel Clavijo, Manager at Strategy Programs for Mobility, ACCIO – Government of Catalonia, Innovation Agency (Spain)
12:05 – 12:50 Roundtable: Challenges of NextGen Cities – Rocky road or smooth path to sustainable mobility?
Moderator:
Kristóf Réti, Account Manager, EuroAtlantic (Hungary)
Panellists:
Szabolcs Szolnoki, Deputy State Secretary for Technology, Ministry for National Economy (Hungary)
Daniel Serra, Director of Ecosystem & Stakeholders, EIT Urban Mobility (Spain)
Gustavo Reyes Rodriguez, Smart & Green Mobility Expert, City of Helmond (the Netherlands)
Zoltán Weltsch, Innovation Director, ZalaZONE (Hungary)
Gwen van Vugt, Senior Director Autonomous Vehicles at Siemens Industry Software Netherlands B.V. (the Netherlands) – TBC
Marco Mazziotti, Director of EU Direct Funding, City of Milan (Italy) – TBC
III. Session – Key pillars and major barriers to new mobility transition the crucial role od skills and infrastructure
Knowledge is power, prioritising top-notch industry skills is transformative. Rapid changes throughout the automotive supply chain, driven by tightening climate policy regulations and digital transformation, along with constant labour shortages, pose significant challenges for industry players, particularly in securing their workforce. The transformation of industry knowledge and effective bridging of skill gaps must happen at a radical speed. Accelerated digitalisation and electrification now require a completely new approach, making the establishment of fast-track training systems more relevant than ever. Mapping and continuously tracking industry needs and urgently organising responsive reskilling and upskilling programmes will set a new standard of competitiveness in the automotive industry.
14:00 –14:20 Presentation: Staying competitive through automotive’s skill transformation - Skills, knowledge transformation, labour transition in the mobility sector
Speaker: Veronika Erős, Cluster Manager/CEO, ZONE Cluster / Deputy-Chair and Treasurer of the Managing Board at EIT Urban Mobility Association (Hungary)
14:20 – 15:05 Roundtable: Automotive Skills and Competitiveness: The Critical Need for Workforce Reskilling and Upskilling to Gain a Competitive Edge
Moderator:
Jakub Stolfa, President of Automotive Skills Alliance, Technical University of Ostrava (Czechia) – TBC
Panellists:
Ádám Nagy, Deputy-State Secretary for Industrial Affairs, Ministry of Economic Development (Hungary)
Charaf Hassan, Rector of Budapest University of Technology and Economics (Hungary)
Peter Frank, Research & Development Director, Knorr-Bremse (Hungary)
Laia Pages, Executive&Research Manager, CARNET (Spain)
Balazs Horvath, Co-Founder, Education Innovator, Kimitisik (Hungary/The Netherlands)
15:05 – 15:25 Presentation: Regulatory and infrastructural challenges of the new mobility transition
15:25 – 16:10 Roundtable: Navigating the Regulatory and Infrastructural Hurdles of the New Mobility Transition - Paving the Way for a Seamless Shift
Moderator:
Aleksander Rajch, Member of the Managing Board, PSNM New Mobility Association Ostrava (Poland) – TBC
Panellists:
Levente Balasa, Head of Smart Infrastructure; Member of Managing Board, Siemens (Hungary)
Péter Kaderják, CEO of the Hungarian Battery Association (Hungary) – TBC
Peter Sevce, Country Manager CEE, Ionity (Slovakia) – TBC
Tamas Czikora, Head of Mobility, MOL Group (Hungary)
Zoltán Sipos, CEO, Electrobus Europe (Hungary) – TBC
The event is free but registration is required. Are you joining us?
Please register using the form below and we will send you more details about the conference soon. Looking forward to seeing you there!
16:30 – 19:00 NETWORKING – DRINKS RECEPTION
