Outlook What 25 Industry Leaders Expect for 2030

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"Innovation power" and "engineering skills" – but also "less production in Germany": For the anniversary of the German media brand "Automobil Industrie", the editorial team asked OEMs, suppliers, and consultants how they envision the industry in 2030.

On the anniversary of the German media brand "Automobil Industrie" (it’s 70 years), the editorial team asked selected individuals from the automotive industry for an outlook. The question was:

What importance will the German automotive industry hold in the year 2030?

Here are the answers.

Thomas Schäfer, Volkswagen

At Volkswagen, we want to prove that it will still be possible to competitively develop and build cars in Germany in the future. With our "Volkswagen Boost 2030" strategy, we are contributing to ensuring that the German automotive industry continues to set global standards and are making VW the technologically leading volume manufacturer.

Mario Metzger, Arnold Umformtechnik

The German automotive industry will not disappear but will fundamentally reinvent itself. The shift towards electromobility, software, and sustainable mobility solutions has long been initiated and will shape the industry in the coming years. It is no longer just about the perfection of the vehicle but about holistic mobility concepts that combine ecology and technology. Those who consistently invest in battery technology, digitization, and connected systems today ensure tomorrow's competitiveness. The future belongs to companies that not only develop products but also create platforms for intelligent, connected mobility. Software will become the decisive differentiating feature – from autonomous driving to over-the-air updates. At the same time, the industry must think globally and remain locally resilient. Flexible production networks and digital processes are key to mastering geopolitical risks and volatile markets. The ability to respond quickly to changes while maintaining the highest quality standards will determine success. In 2030, the focus will no longer be solely on the car but on an ecosystem of sustainable, digital, and connected solutions. The German automotive industry has all the prerequisites to lead this transformation – provided we act decisively now and invest in the technologies that define the mobility of tomorrow.

Markus Heyn, Bosch

The automotive industry is in the era of software-driven mobility, where vehicles are continuously updated via software updates and constantly learn through artificial intelligence. For drivers, this means they can personalize their car much more – from the interior to driving behavior to infotainment. This transforms the vehicle into a personal assistant, making every mile a unique driving experience. One could compare this to the shift from the radio to a personal playlist: rigid specifications are replaced by personal preferences. The German automotive industry has recognized the immense opportunities of this user-centered mobility. This was evident at this year’s IAA Mobility. Our advantage at Bosch: with our unique combination of hardware and software expertise, as well as global presence and local knowledge, we are actively shaping this future.

Matthias Zink, Schaeffler

The world is in motion, and the German automotive industry is right in the middle of it. The trends of electrification, automated driving comfort, and software-based technologies are transforming the entire industry. In the coming years, a completely new environment for future mobility solutions will emerge. At the same time, we are engaged in an unprecedented innovation and technology competition – particularly from China. The German automotive industry must tackle these challenges to remain competitive in the long term. Virtues such as innovation spirit, ambition, agility, diligence, and customer focus must be our priority. These are the qualities that have made us strong in the past. I am firmly convinced that we have passed the low point and have done our homework. We are on a good path. But we urgently need to take action to secure our future viability as the German automotive industry – this applies equally to politics and economic frameworks.

Matthias Kratzsch, Hirschvogel

The challenges cannot be downplayed. The German automotive industry is undergoing a profound structural transformation that we must not delay but tackle decisively. I am convinced that if we act with an open mind towards technology and a focus on innovation, make production more flexible, and navigate this process of change with united efforts – manufacturers, suppliers, companies, and politics – the German automotive industry has good prospects. Then, in 2030 and beyond, it will continue to play a central role in the global automotive market and fulfill its responsibility as a key industry of the German economy. We have already achieved so much. I have confidence in the management and employees of the German automotive industry.

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Arndt Kirchhoff, Kirchhoff Automotive

Even in the year 2030, the German automotive industry, especially in the premium segment, will remain a leader – if we maintain our pace of innovation and R&D investments.

Andreas Fink, Bertrandt

At Bertrandt, we firmly believe in the innovative strength and adaptability of the German automotive industry. Therefore, we are convinced that it will continue to play a decisive role in the global market. However, additional and new technologies will need to be integrated into processes. For the Bertrandt Group, the automotive industry will always be a part of its DNA worldwide. We offer our customers tailored solutions and innovations to support them in their future strategy.

Stefan Krug, Brose

I am convinced that the German automotive industry will also play a leading role in the global mobility landscape in 2030, albeit in a significantly transformed form. We will talk less about traditional vehicle production and more about holistic mobility and technology systems. Value creation is increasingly shifting towards software, electronics, and sustainable materials, areas in which German companies are already making strong investments today. If we manage to combine our traditional strengths in engineering and quality with speed, digitization, and sustainability, we will continue to be among the innovation leaders in 2030. However, we need to become bolder: in decisions, partnerships, and dealing with new business models. Those who want to remain relevant in 2030 must think globally while taking local responsibility: economically, ecologically, and socially. At the same time, we also need the right political framework to compete internationally, particularly against Chinese OEMs. This means less bureaucracy, faster approval processes, and technology-neutral funding policies. Only in this way can we achieve the necessary speed and planning security to implement innovations successfully on an economic level.

Bernd Welzel, European High-Tech Pavilion

The German automotive industry will take place even less in Germany by 2030: the shift of vehicle production abroad will continue. In this regard, I see no differences between foreign and German OEMs. This will not be without impact on suppliers, who are already predominantly investing abroad and will continue to significantly reduce production volumes within Germany. Reasons for this include not only energy and labor costs but also bureaucratic hurdles and the realization that higher work motivation is often found outside of Germany. Unfortunately, current efforts by politicians to improve economic conditions will be slowed down by the thicket of regulatory and environmental political influences. German OEMs have the chance to regain globally lost market share by strengthening their brand value and increasingly focusing on the diverse wishes of customers (and less on European politics). This could allow the German automotive industry to regain global significance by 2030, though the German economy will only benefit to a limited extent. Furthermore, it is to be hoped that German OEMs will recall critical success factors from the past and reconnect with the close and trusting collaboration with the still innovation-driven and competent German supplier network.

Jan Dannenberg, Berylls by Alix Partners

In Germany, the automotive industry will continue to have great importance for economic growth, innovation, and prosperity. Globally, the significance of German mobility products and companies will decrease significantly. The era of Asian-Chinese car manufacturers has begun.

Milan Nedeljkovic, BMW

The German automotive industry possesses unique competencies, deep knowledge, and a passionate automotive culture that hardly any other location worldwide can offer. With its extensive supplier network, it is a highly relevant economic sector, particularly in Germany. To ensure long-term success here, two things are especially needed: competitive framework conditions to unleash the innovative power of the entire industry and a stronger focus on future fields without restrictive regulation. And, of course, an "automotive industry" that reports on it.

Hildegard Müller, VDA

The German automotive industry stands for brilliant minds, engineering excellence, and innovation. We currently employ approximately 727,000 people. Our ambition is, now and in the future, to build the best, safest, and most innovative vehicles – thereby ensuring growth and prosperity. We rely on creative innovations and high investments, strive to continuously improve, shape the path to climate-neutral and digital mobility of the future, and grow with the diverse tasks and challenges. We will do everything to remain Germany's key industry, a driver of innovation, and a global flagship for progress, both now and in the future. And that is exactly what people in this country want: the automotive industry is the most important sector in Germany for its citizens; 87 percent of the population consider the automotive industry the most important industry for the German economy. We aim to maintain this status in the year 2030 as well.

Rainer Kurek, Automotive Management Consulting

The international trend of further developing cities as greener, more connected, and culturally diverse living spaces will significantly accelerate the era of multimobility. Our globalized society has already led the automotive industry into a new reality. By 2030, this will make local growth in the industry more challenging, as the strategic, demographic, and structural conditions in emerging markets enable higher value creation. Innovation power and strength are crucial: in 2030 even more so than today, as the significance of the automotive industry will depend on this.

Jörg Ohlsen, Cognizant Mobility

In 2030, the products, processes, and especially the value chains in the German automotive industry will have fundamentally changed. Some German manufacturers will continue to counter competition from China with smart products, albeit with significant reductions in volume. Software will have taken on the dominant role in vehicles, and it is to be hoped that German OEMs will rely on cooperation and support in their major E/E and IT areas to build on solid software architectures, digital services, and seamless update capability.

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Craig Piersma, Gentex

The German automotive industry will remain one of the most important players in global mobility. With strong innovations in electric vehicles, software, and new mobility concepts, it will set global standards for technology and sustainability. To maintain its leadership position, OEMs must focus on technologies that truly enhance the driving experience, rather than merely offering those that comply with legal requirements.

Philipp von Hirschheydt, Aumovio

The German automotive industry will also hold a strong position in global competition in 2030. With its innovative strength and industrial substance, it has every chance to shape technological leadership in connected, autonomous, and software-driven mobility.

Mathias Miedreich, ZF

The German automotive industry has constantly reinvented itself over its approximately 140-year history and will continue to hold a solid place in the world of individual mobility in the future. Therefore, the "Automobil Industrie" will not lack topics for journalistic coverage in the coming years.

Florian Hüttl, Opel

The German automotive industry faces numerous major challenges: the transformation with electrification, including the associated supply chains, autonomous driving and connected services, geopolitical challenges, a multitude of regulations, especially in Europe, new competitors primarily from China, and high electricity costs, particularly in Germany. Nevertheless, I am confident that the German automotive industry will still hold a high status in 2030. The players in our industry have always been pioneers. The industry is innovative and highly competitive, which helps in quickly finding the best solutions to all upcoming challenges.

Robert Morgner, ASAP

The global transformation in the automotive industry poses significant challenges, especially for OEMs and system suppliers. New approaches must be taken to secure technological advantages quickly and efficiently. Topics such as the software-defined vehicle, artificial intelligence, and automation are becoming increasingly decisive competitive advantages. I am convinced that the German automotive sector will continue to play a key role in the future – if it faces this change with innovation and flexibility.

Tino Glatzel, Akkodis

In 2030, the German automotive industry will define itself more strongly through software expertise, sustainability, and shortened development cycles. Its strength will still lie in engineering skills – combined with digital solutions. This is precisely the intersection where we at Akkodis bring in our expertise.

Peter Fintl, Capgemini Engineering

The German automotive industry will still play a key role in the world in 2030 – albeit in a newly defined ecosystem. Success in a multipolar world arises through intelligent collaborations, partnerships with tech start-ups, chip manufacturers, cloud providers, and AI companies. Germany boasts outstanding engineering, strong brands, and immense technological depth. What is crucial now is the courage to question the status quo and boldly embrace the new. More and more companies are realizing that transformation is not necessarily a threat – it is the greatest opportunity since the invention of the automobile. If German manufacturers, hand in hand with bold industrial policies, take new paths, they can continue to hold a leading role in the international automotive industry.

Markus Wambach, MHP

The German automotive industry stands at a historic tipping point. The car is transforming from a mechanical product into a continuously upgradable, software-defined tech device – a rolling computer shaped by AI, data, and connected services. This transformation is dramatically intensifying global competition: companies from China are scaling at tremendous speed, Silicon Valley players are redefining customer experiences, while geopolitical tensions challenge supply chains and market strategies. Despite these risks, Germany still has unique strengths: engineering expertise, industrial perfection, and the ability to deliver safe, reliable, and globally scalable complex systems. Success by 2030 will depend on how decisively we build software expertise, accelerate innovation, and develop the courage for new business models. The industry must learn to work beyond traditional value chain boundaries – in close collaboration between OEMs, SMEs, tech partners, and research institutions. If we actively shape this transformation, we can be more than just participants in global competition: we can set the framework for the mobility of tomorrow. The challenge is great – but above all, it is an enormous opportunity.

Holger Schwab, Valeo

The German automotive industry is strong, innovative, and crisis-tested. I am convinced that there will still be excellent cars from Germany in 2030. However, the conditions in Germany must significantly improve by then, and Germany must regain competitiveness. Europe needs to adopt a pro-Europe policy, and the federal government must step up efforts to reduce bureaucracy and improve location factors. As an optimist, I believe this can be achieved.

Charlie Cai, Preh

I am convinced that the German automotive industry has good prospects despite the current challenges, especially if OEMs and suppliers work together and do everything in their power to accelerate innovations and processes. However, our industry also needs support from politics – in Brussels and Berlin. At Preh, we will do everything to support our customers with innovative HMI and e-mobility solutions. Throughout its more than 100-year history, Preh has repeatedly adapted and reinvented itself. The German industry will achieve this as well.

Arnd Franz, Mahle

The German automotive industry is currently undergoing a profound structural transformation – accompanied by technological upheavals, geopolitical tensions, and economic challenges. Nevertheless, with its unique combination of technological expertise, innovative strength, and industrial power, it will remain a key driver of the transformation towards sustainable mobility. Electrification and digitalization are being significantly shaped by German companies. The prerequisite for this is the targeted use of our strengths – and that political and economic conditions sustainably support the industry's competitiveness. With our long-standing system expertise, innovative strength, and clear focus on sustainable drive technologies, we at Mahle are actively shaping the future.

Harald Keller, EDAG

The mobility industry is more global today than ever before. Innovation arises where companies collaborate across borders, think of technologies in a connected way, and develop shared platforms. If we maintain this openness and retain the courage for transformation, Germany will remain a key pace-setter – differently positioned than today, but with the same passion for technological progress.

Geoffrey Bouquot, Audi

Even in 2030, the German automotive industry will be a global benchmark for technical excellence and sustainability. Its influence will extend to Western and Eastern markets, driven by the mastery of software-defined mobility, electrification, and AI-powered developments. These innovations will not only shape Europe but also set standards that impact the entire world.