Technological innovations in the form of electrification, connectivity and self-driving cars are part of the current automotive scenario. To manage the complexity of our world we need higher levels of intelligence that comes from analysis of big data, advanced forms of network sharing and inter-modal forms. It’s an epic passage: how to coordinate a transition where technologies, industry actors and new players, institutions and laws are challenged by fast-moving changes? New technologies are opening scenarios in which new business models are based on new services and new forms of monetization. Players in the automotive industry need to reinterpret their roles by innovating strategies, forms of collaboration and competences. This session crosses viewpoints and experiences of many players, including some insights from “Mobility 2030”, a study by AutoScout24 about solutions for sustainable innovation for future mobility.

Remix means rebalancing business and strategies. In addition to the traditional checkpoint on the situation, the session presents a special interview with Luca de Meo. SEAT is a real example in this direction with strong investment in R&D and improved performances. Globalization, electric revolution and changes in the value chain model in relation to new digital technologies that transform the traditional role of brands: from producers and suppliers to the provision and management of new platforms, main characters in the cities of the future.

For dealers, traditionally focused on selling new vehicles, to become suppliers of mobility, changing their approach from product to service, represents both a cultural and an organizational challenge. This session introduces the “Mobility as a Service” as an interesting business opportunity for dealers, that can rely on already existing customers, infrastructures and vehicle fleets to offer a set of innovative services. John F. Possumato, one of the pioneers in this field, will share insights and real experiences showing dealers how to leverage this new market spaces and not leave them to third parties.

While the attention towards new retail formats rises, along with various experiments, dealers remain the main actors on a global scale and they are committed to reinforcing their businesses. Charles W. Gilchrist, 2019 Chairman of the NADA - ultra-centenary association of US dealers - considers crucial the dialogue with carmakers in order to safeguard the profitability of new vehicles. He also sees Mobility as a Service as a complement rather than a substitute of ownership, plus he is relaunching ways to fix the shortage of service technicians. Emil Frey is one of the main dealer group for vehicle commercialization in Europe (in the world Top 10). Founded in Switzerland in 1924, it’s now based also in French, Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland reaching a revenue in excess of 11 billion euros with more than 500,000 vehicles sold via 678 outlets (source ICDP 2017).

The session opens with a dialogue between Gabriele Maramieri and Mauro Caruccio, Managing Director of Toyota Motor Italia, returning to Italy after holding key positions for the Group in Europe. Some of the themes that will be discussed will include: in which direction is the brand moving in terms of product and communication, the importance of the value chain and the attention to customers, the centrality of dealerships in a context shaken up by alternative formats. Automotive Dealer Day Forum will host the preview of 2019 DealerSTAT results, the annual survey on dealer satisfaction. Reaching its 16th edition, the study engages every year the owners of all Italian dealerships collecting the opinion of more than 50% of dealers. During the session the brands that are most appreciated by dealers will be awarded. In 2018 the winners were Porsche for cars and Ford for LCV, as No.1 franchises in satisfaction of dealers in their networks. Who will be awarded this year? The session will go on with the speech of Bibop G. Gresta. Hyperloop TT works on a new transportation model based on magnetic levitation capsules that travel inside tubes with reduced air pressure, at the same speed as flying airplanes, therefore reducing travel times from hours down to minutes. The company uses a unique patented technology and a lean collaboration business model, developing a technological idea relaunched by Elon Musk in 2013. The first European test-track is in Toulouse (French) with developing projects in the US, China, and the United Arab Emirates.

For every sales company, it’s clear how the value of the business lies mostly on the value of customer relationships. Caring for touch points and attention to customer dynamics create the basis for satisfaction, loyalty, economic value. However, the risks associated with these aspects are often dangerously underestimated. Which are the most common risks? How to identify risk points? Which strategies can reduce these risks? This session offers valid support in this direction for players in the car distribution industry.

The search for customers and the interactions with them today happens mostly online, therefore no one can afford to remain outside of this context. Companies as BMW have enhanced the digital area to foster new kinds of dialogue that open to different themes such as intercultural behavior, social inclusion, road safety and sustainability. But digital also changes the rules of the game: Giuseppe Stigliano has recently published “Retail 4.0” with the marketing guru Philip Kotler, showing how selling means integrating traditional marketing with digital, choosing more functional technologies. It’s all about aligning information contained in every touch point between brand and people, online and offline, transforming stores into destinations to conquer customer loyalty and defend themselves from more aggressive competitors.

There have been many scare stories in recent times about the ‘death of the dealer’, as the result of a move to online sales, changes from car ownership to usage-based models, and other megatrends. We do see a lot of change ahead for dealers, and not all will survive, but the demand from consumers for a physical network will continue, even though the dealer role will need to adapt to support new types of product and service. What lessons can we learn from dealers around the world, including from the growing breed of large international group, about the ingredients of success in this evolving environment?

Former member of the Italian Rugby National Team, he has become one of the best players in the world before retiring from competitions experiencing TV roles and social commitment. Born in Argentina from a family who migrated from Sicily, he combines an impressive physical presence with a natural fondness. The only rule that matters to him, in rugby, is “Lower your head and push”. In 2015 the great scare for a lumbar plexus neuroma, then treated. In 2016 he publishes “Raggiungi la tua meta” (achieve your goal) where he tells his life, his career, and his celiac disease.