14th Annual Automotive Industry Meeting

Getting Back to Basics

IESE Business School hosted the 19th Annual Automotive Industry meeting in November, under the theme, "Back to Basics." Looking to address the challenges that the auto industry is facing globally, top international executives convened at the school´s Barcelona campus to discuss logistics, innovation, global strategy, international opportunities, and other current issues the industry is facing. The two-day event included the presentation of the 14th automotive industry manager of the year award. The forum was organized by IESE professors Pedro Nueno and Juan Llorens.

During the event, Juan José Diaz Ruiz, Managing Director of Díaz Ruiz and Partners, chaired a session entitled "The New Business of Distribution" focusing on the high levels of competition in the European market, the realities of past changes and possible future ones. Other participants in the session included Jim Blades, vice-president Europe, Urban Science; Jean Charles Lievens, executive vice-president Europe, Kia Europe; and Javier Rodriguez Heredia, president, Faconauto.

Other sessions concentrated on the importance of technological innovation as a competitive tool for European companies as well as expansion into new regions. Later sessions reflected on management within the automotive industry and the work of senior managers in this field in the midst of challenging times.