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10. International
CAR Symposium – Bochum
Global Automotive trade cycle on its recuperation track
Bochum, Wednesday 3.2.2010: the attendance hit record with 978 guests at the 10th International CAR Symposium held by University Duisburg-Essen in Bochum RuhrCongress. This high record was achieved despite the present difficult automotive economic activity.
Highly ranking managers as well as scientists of industrial fields have discussed two major issues: concepts for climate-compatible automobiles and development of international automobile markets.
60 Bankers present at CAR Symposium – Arguments against credit dilemma
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The conference host Professor Ferdinand Dudenhöffer has pointed out during his speech that “it is a good thing for our sector that 60 Bankers are present amongst us to capture an elaborate view of what’s really going on”. Leading enterprises such as Benteler and those discussed innovations showed that despite a difficult year, the automobile industry 2010 has definitely a growth as well as a earnings potential. “Those were the best arguments to fight off credit dilemmas” added Professor Dudenhöffer.
He has estimated, that the automobile sector will sell 55,1 million cars by the end of this year. This shows a surplus of 4,1 percent or 2,1 mio cars. The highest rates of growth are expected to take place in North America and Asia while in the western part of Europe there will be a drop of one mio in sales. “The global economic situation has already set its foot”. This has been overheard during the congress.”
Benteler-boss expects a stimulus by lightweight constructions
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“Business will not be an amusing stroll this current year, however, global markets are rotating” said Hubertus Benteler, chief executive officer of the Benteler AG. He also commented that “the European market is causing worries; nevertheless the persistent light upturn trend in business will stabilize.” The Benteler-Group ranks with 6,4 mio € total revenue and 24.000 employees one of the 20 biggest automotive suppliers worldwide. Within the next 5 years, Benteler is expecting a progress by lightweight constructions. The enterprise was diligent in preparing itself for this progress. This happened by means of internal innovation and buying out the automotive unit of aluminium specialists Norsk Hydro ASA as well as in establishing a joint-venture for manufacturing intensified carbon fiber-composite materials. Climate compatible automotive concepts are light construction concepts. The German automotive industry will experience a long-term profit from this growth” says Benteler.
Michael Macht: Porsche- expanding posts in premium markets
Also Porsche director Michael Macht looks confidential at the current automobile market. “It is important for us to reactivate the USA being Porsche’s core business.” Along with Panamera, the new Cayenne and further innovations, Porsche will in 2010 expand its sales to markets such as USA and Asia. Macht points out “we have not reached our offensive plan yet”. “The close association with Volkswagen creates the possibility to handle the biggest growth markets in the world – the “Premium Segment” with the help of additional construction lines for improved cost terms.
 Michael Macht (Porsche) Click here to enlarge <link file:7389 _blank download>  |
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Daimler research director: sustained mobility does not only refer electro powered automobiles
Figures were not the only yardstick in reflecting CAR Symposiums success- other factors were: Intensive discussions between industry and science, 12 information- stands where corporate groups such as Daimler, Ford and Porsche exchanged opinions on essential innovations and process-improvements emphasizing clearly the reputation of the Symposium- being one of the most important encounter for the sector. “This shows a great interest in the Electromobility Project. We’ve got many inquiries on potential middle class cooperations” says Dudenhöffer. “This alone has made the congress worthwhile!”
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Climate compatibility is a major issue which the sector is busy redefining. For the time being, electro automobiles do play a minor role. “Electro automobiles are going to impact urban life within the next 10-15 years” elaborated Dr. Thomas Weber, research manager for Daimler AG. “Daimler is already pioneer in this technology and will keep its leading position in the future. We stand for the title of our brands” says Weber.
“By the end of 2009, 100 Electro-Smart have been delivered to purchasers in Berlin.
Since 2004 Daimler is running customers’ tests for electro automobiles with fuel cells and since 2007 with battery drive in large cities worldwide. Electricity flows either from a socket or inside the car using generated hydrogen” continued Weber. However, the combustion engine will not remain the backbone of mobility in the next twenty years, that’s why it’s wise to continually optimize it.
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A big electro-mobility project which has been launched in Nordrhein-Westfalen at the beginning of this year by Ford together with University Duisburg-Essen, Rheinenergy AG and municipality Köln has been introduced for the first time at CAR Symposium.
25 Ford model cars will get started to run in Domstadt for two years. The results in Ruhr region are to be forecasted by 50 scientists from Duisburg-Essen University. “We shall present our first electro automobile on the 22nd February together with the mayor and our project associates” announced research director Ford-Europe Dr. Franz-Josef Laermann at CAR Symposium.
High resonance at Congress and University-Job Exhibition
CAR Symposium has booked a new record organizing its 10th congress. Next to 978 participators, 80 business associates of same sector and 78 other companies took part in the trade show. Also the Job-Exhibition the day before attracted about 1500 students forming an significant component of the show.
 +GF+ (Dipl.-Ing Guido Rau with Sinem Gizli) Click here to enlarge <link file:7393 _blank download> |
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 ThyssenKrupp Click here to enlarge <link file:7395 _blank download> |
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 Nanofocus Click here to enlarge <link file:7397 _blank download> |
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Figures were not the only yardstick in reflecting CAR Symposiums success- other factors were: Intensive discussions between industry and science, 12 information- stands where corporate groups such as Daimler, Ford and Porsche exchanged opinions on essential innovations and process-improvements emphasizing clearly the reputation of the Symposium- being one of the most important encounter for the sector. “This shows a great interest in the Electromobility Project. We’ve got many inquiries on potential middle class cooperations” says Dudenhöffer. “This alone has made the congress worthwhile!”
