93 Editorial Dear readers, in a recent interview with Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, published in Auto Motor Sport, when asked about the impact of the us Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on the transformation process in the automotive industry and the international automotive markets, his answer is surprisingly clear and simple: ‘None of us know all the answers. As always, customers will surprise us. Customers act rationally and autonomously. ‘In other words, the market always decides in the end. And it is precisely this not at all new realisation that is shaping current events on the automotive markets. It is therefore not at all surprising that customers are once again opting more frequently for a traditional combustion engine vehicle instead of an electric car that is not yet fully developed. In view of a charging infrastructure that is still far from meeting the mobility requirements of our society across the board - especially in rural regions or when travelling abroad - it is rational to opt for a vehicle that has access to an established network of filling stations. This will continue until the manufacturers are able to fulfil the promises they have made with regard to the performance, range and charging time of the batteries. It is just as rational not to buy an expensive e-vehicle if technologically high-quality combustion vehicles are available on the market and the state, with its ultimately failed subsidy policy, fails to co-finance the purchase with its premiums. The purchase decision in favour of vehicles from Chinese provinces, which have not played a role in our automotive market to date, is anything but irrational. Chinese manufacturers are filling a gap in the market that European and US manufacturers have left open. The vehicles are at the cutting edge of technology, particularly in terms of connectivity, comfort and design. And the e-models are significantly cheaper than the vehicles from our domestic OEMs. You can lament these developments from a German perspective. Ultimately, they can only be changed if they are recognised as positive challenges. Our companies are doing this with all the creativity and skills that have characterised our industry in the past. The articles in this issue of OEM&Supplier are proof of the high level of development of products, technologies and processes in our companies - not only at the OEM level, but also and especially in the area of suppliers and service providers as well as related sectors. And we can be sure that the market and therefore the customer will honour this. Dear readers, in this exclusively digital edition of OEM&Supplier, you have the opportunity to obtain additional information through links, interactions and connections to web content and social media. We would like to thank all our authors, interview partners and advertisers for their excellent and trusting cooperation. You are cordially invited to participate in the next issue, which is expected to appear in March 2025, with your contributions, interviews, company presentations and adverts. Yours editors, Elisabeth Klock and Dr. Rudolf Müller P. S. Please also visit our trade press portal www.oemundlieferant.de Follow us on LinkedIn and become a member of the LinkedIn group OEM&Lieferant Dr. Rudolf Müller Elisabeth Klock
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