EDITOR(S): Ralf Landmann, Heiko Wolters, Holger Karsten, Wolfgang Bernhart
The Future of the Automotive Industry: Challenges and Concepts for the 21st Century examines crucial issues facing the industry -- such as emerging markets, globalization, technological innovation, environmental demands and e-business -- and outlines approaches to meet these challenges.
Raif Landmann Arthur D. Little InternationaI Inc. Is an associate director (partner) with Arthur D. Little’s Global Automotive Practice in Wiesbaden, Germany. Mr. Landmann spent ten years consulting to selected industries worldwide, focusing on strategic planning, marketing! sales strategies, and large-scale, cross-cultural change initiatives. He began his career with Daimler-Benz (today DaimlerChrysler), after which he joined Schott Glass’ (Carl Zeiss) corporate planning/development. Currently, he helps automotive OEMs to launch and grow their electronic- and mobile- commerce strategies. Recently, Mr. Landmann and his team developed a global change-program for more than 70,000 frontline employees, enabling a “Top Three” automotive OEM to achieve behavior in line with the brand with all customer-contact and back-office staff. Mr. Landmann serves on the faculty of the St. Galler Management Program (Switzerland) and is a regular speaker and author on automotive and marketing issues. He graduated with an M.B.A. from the University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany. e-mail: landmann.ralf@adlittle.com
Dr. Heiko Wolters Is director of sales of DEKRA Automobil, the leading automotive service organization in Europe. In this position, he is responsible for controlling and marketing of the more than 200 branches in Germany and is in charge of the key-account management. Before joining DEKRA, Dr. Wolters was a senior manager in the automotive practice of Arthur D. Little International, Inc. in Wiesbaden, Germany. His main activities are concentrated on sales and marketing, restructuring, strategic and organizational development, and productivity improvements. Before joining Arthur D. Little, Dr. Wolters was employed in the purchasing analysis department at BMW in Munich, Germany. After an apprenticeship in banking, business studies in Berlin and Paris, and completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Wolters was a visiting scholar at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, within the International Motor Vehicle Program. Dr. Wolters is author of numerous specialized publications, books, and speeches concerning issues of the automotive industry. e-mail: heiko.wolters@automobil.dekra.de
Dr. Holger Karsten Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Bank Ltd. Is managing director in the investment banking division of Merrill Lynch and is the responsible relationship manager for key clients in the automotive and transportation industry. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch, he was vice president, member of the German management and director of Arthur D. Little’s Global Automotive Practice, with twenty years of business experience. Before entering the consulting industry, Dr. Karsten had been working at a leading German car manufacturer. He studied economics, received his Ph.D. in the area of innovative methods of work structuring, and completed his postgraduate studies at the Business School of Amherst, Massachusetts (U.S.A). e-mail: holger_karstenml.com
Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Bernhart Arthur D. Little InternationaL Inc. Is an associate director in the automotive practice at Arthur D. Little International, Inc. in Wiesbaden, Germany. He specializes in the field of company strategy and structure, knowledge management, organizational development, order processes, and cost improvement. After studying production technology in Karisruhe, Dr. Bemhart was conferred the degree of doctor on processes of calculation in the stage of development of multiform series production. e-mail: bernhart.wolfgangadlittle. com
