„Savoir vivre“ can be interpreted as a French approach to life which is both positive and life-affirming – something we can all use in these challenging times. So what do you think – has this way of thinking helped you to cope with the difficulties caused by covid-19?

The thing that has really impressed me in the two years since the outbreak of covid has been the fighting spirit of all employees of ElringKlinger France, not just in terms of integrating new products and processes at the Nantiat and Chamborêt sites, but also in keeping them operational. All of this had to be achieved in a highly complex public health environment involving lockdowns, part-time hours and so forth. We regarded these projects as an opportunity – one which we seized in order to bring about improvements. To do this we exploited as many existing processes as we could, especially in the flow of materials to workshops, workstation ergonomics, safety and working conditions in general. Team members displayed great solidarity in sticking to project timetables; they had the courage of their convictions to perform everyday tasks aimed at minimizing the risk of infection for the good of all – daily disinfecting of shared equipment in production areas and offices, testing, isolation. In short, people drew on a well of French-style creativity and solidarity to reconcile and achieve their goals with maximum effectiveness.

The life of a site depends on its employees. What is the main factor behind the strong sense of togetherness in Bursa?

I am 26 years old and I was born in Bursa. My parents are originally from Bulgaria; they still have a house there and often visit their home country. I have been working at ElringKlinger Turkey since 2018 and regard the company as part of my family. A good team recognizes, appreciates, and harnesses the strengths of each individual. Everyone must be willing to do something outside their area of responsibility. This is the only way to achieve overarching goals and develop team spirit. Effective communication among employees is very important, too. A sense of belonging to the company increases in a collaborative working environment, not a competitive environment. Shared responsibility also means tackling problems together. Doing and acting together in harmony, on the basis of common goals and visions, helps to create a sense of togetherness. Joint activities, joint projects, joint tasks, joint responsibility.

Based in Japan, ElringKlinger Marusan has a very long history within the ElringKlinger Group. What motivates you to work for a Europe-based automotive supplier?

As regards our internal policy, we encourage diversity and the work-life balance. Many employees of ElringKlinger Marusan are from other Asian countries. We also provide environments such as entertainment events and a wide range of training options. Our motto is to ‘’take chances by challenging, without fear of change.” As we enter a new era of great change, ElringKlinger Marusan in Japan is facing up to the mega trend of the transition from the internal combustion engine to the electric vehicle, thereby focusing on new ElringKlinger products manufactured through innovations in AI/Cobot technology.

How does mobility in China differ from other regions of the world?

It is well known that China has quickly emerged as the world’s largest mobility market. Automotive, technological, and e-commerce innovations are rapidly converging in unexpected ways. More and more people are opting for private cars for their daily transportation, partly out of safety concerns in view of covid-19. The average commuting time is nearly one hour each way during the rush hour, which causes significant automobile exhaust pollution. The government has introduced a series of policies, including improvements to the public transportation infrastructure, subsidies, and zero plate restrictions for new energy vehicles, well-equipped charging stations, support for 5G technology development, and so on. To save on fuel costs, and attracted by the implementation of these policies, more new energy vehicles are appearing on the road. Speaking of which, a few words on payment methods for urban public transportation. Today passengers can simply swipe smart phones to take a bus or metro, share a bike or car by scanning a QR code, and use a sophisticated e-hailing platform – which means goodbye to wallets, cash, and bank cards. This trend has revolutionized and facilitated mobility for people in China.

What will mobility in the US look like in ten years? Do you expect to see regional differences?

I am really curious to see how mobility in the US changes over the next ten years. Many expect the large cities on the east and west coasts to move towards public transportation driven by electric or solar power; there will be ride sharing, and families in these areas will likely own electric vehicles. More rural areas may take longer to convert because the infrastructure outside the cities will require major investment and more time to adapt to mobility changes. We are already experiencing the transition to electric vehicles across the country, a trend that will gather pace as new technologies, applications, and vehicles continue to evolve. This also has the potential to revolutionize the way goods are moved from A to B throughout the supply chain. New products and innovations will create both opportunities and challenges for the industry.