A fortnight ago I attended two unforgettable events in Shanghai: the DVN workshop and the Shanghai Motor show. Lately we’ve been overwhelmed with information highlighting the fantastic growth of China—quite a contrast with European stagnation. But when we are in China, talking with Chinese people, seeing their keen and popular interest for the automotive industry, advanced technology and premium cars, we realise the great future of China’s auto industry…and what’s at risk on our side.
The Chinese are still behind Europe in automotive engineering but they are working very hard and they are learning very fast with an unbeatable competitive spirit. When studying carefully the production and development roadmaps of Chinese local Lighting Tier 1 suppliers like Shanghai Koito or even XingYu, it becomes obvious that the only way for Europe to survive is pushing forward cutting-edge technology, creativity in styling, and customer satisfaction—in a word, innovation.
The Shanghai Motor Show emphasised the advance in technology of German premium cars, visible by the density of visitors around the German makers’ booths. The DVN workshop showed that Europe holds the leadership and is still a few years ahead. But Europe must go further and keep on developing new technologies to stay ahead. The centre of gravity of automotive lighting was always located in Europe where most all new technologies have been developed. Then came Japan, then Korea and America, and now clearly China is rising. The future of lighting in Europe will depend on only one factor: the continuing strength and investment in research and application developments. European universities and private labs will be at least as important as lighting players in that effort to keep our pole position.
Sincerely yours
DVN Editor in Chief