Dear readers,

Click here to open the issue: https://www.oemundlieferant.de/publikationen/oem-ai-226/2/

The German automotive industry is facing the most
profound transformation in its history. The shift from
combustion engines to electric powertrains is only one
part of this transformation. The car itself is undergoing
a fundamental change: what was once a mechanically
dominated product is increasingly becoming a platform
driven by software, data, and AI.

The software-defined vehicle is a prime example of
this transformation. Central computing architectures,
over-the-air updates, and software development are
changing a vehicle’s technology and lifecycle. Artificial
intelligence adds another dimension: The vehicle is
no longer meant to simply execute commands, but to
understand contexts and increasingly take on tasks
independently.

At the same time, the balance of power in international
competition is shifting. Chinese manufacturers, in par
ticular, are rapidly combining electromobility, batteries,
software, and AI. This is resulting in a competitive
model that is forcing European manufacturers and
suppliers to rethink their strategies. Our industry is
well-positioned: strong brands, technological excel
lence, industrial manufacturing capabilities, and the
highest level of safety expertise. But these strengths
must be combined with a new sense of speed.

The key question, therefore, is not how quickly individual
technologies will gain traction. What matters most is
who can turn technology into competitive products and
new business models more quickly. The future of the
automotive industry depends on this.
In this issue of “OEM & Supplier,” dear readers, you
will once again gain insight into the competitiveness
and innovative capacity of the German automotive and
supplier industries, as well as their contractors and
service companies.

We would like to thank everyone involved for their ex
cellent and trusting collaboration on this magazine.
You are cordially invited to contribute to the next issue,
which is scheduled to be published in the spring of 2027.

Your editorial team
Elisabeth Klock and Astrid Schafmeister

*Note: This text was generated using AI and has been added.
Visit our trade press portal

German:
Liebe Leserinnen und Leser,
die deutsche Automobilindustrie steht vor dem tief
greifendsten Wandel ihrer Geschichte. Der Umstieg vom
Verbrennungsmotor auf den Elektroantrieb ist dabei nur
ein Teil der Transformation. Das Auto selbst wandelt
sich grundlegen …
Weiterlesen:
https://t1p.de/vxr8h