Modules: a relevant response to our customers’ challenges way, manufacturers will become “mega module assemblers” and will focus on new technologies to be integrated into cars, self-driving vehicles, and the sale of services. In our opinion, the automotive market is increasingly headed in this direction and this shift already seems to be taking hold among new market players. When it comes to international markets and customers, what potential does the Modules Business Group have? C. M. German manufacturers still account for almost three quarters of the turnover of the Modules Business Group. We must support these long-standing customers while finding new ones, particularly American electric mobility players. A few years ago, one of these companies was the driving force behind a revolution in the industry: gigacasting. This process, which produces vehicle interiors in a single molded piece (instead of assembling the vehicle’s body parts by welding them together), is perfectly suited to the integration of modules. Today, it has been adopted by other manufacturers, which is a positive sign for the development of our activity as a Business Group. We also continue to develop our operations in new kinds of mobility, with customers including Zoox, an Amazon subsidiary that manufactures self-driving vehicles. In addition, we aim to acquire new business from Chinese manufacturers and support them in their expansion outside China, particularly in South-East Asia. As a global industrial group, we can meet the diverse regional needs of our customers. Why are modules of interest to car manufacturers? Christophe Marceau. In an uncertain climate, our customers face numerous challenges: economic concerns, significant environmental constraints in certain regions, and multiple technological issues. They have to invest significantly in new technologies (particularly for self-driving and/or electric vehicles), while continuing to provide consumers with affordable vehicles. This economic pressure, which has always existed in the automotive industry, is intensifying today. New technologies, customs duties, and inflation are driving up car prices at a time when investments are soaring and production volumes are increasingly uncertain. In this context, what role does the Modules Business Group play? C. M. I often use the metaphor of a jigsaw puzzle or Lego. It’s quicker to complete a puzzle by putting large pieces together, rather than small ones. We have real expertise when it comes to small parts. The Modules Business Group assembles a multitude of parts on flexible lines and delivers extended units to manufacturers, enabling them to assemble their vehicles more quickly. For instance, we can provide modules that include up to 140 components with 15,000 possible variants. When manufacturers need to invest in new industrial capacity, they can therefore implement more compact assembly lines by only putting together the “big pieces of the puzzle”. We provide added value by managing this complexity, taking charge of the logistics of a module’s various components, and delivering just in time, making our customers’ assembly processes more streamlined and less expensive. How does OPmobility’s One4you offering support this development? C. M. It’s the next stage of the process I’ve just described. In the short to medium term, we should be able to deliver complete vehicle fronts and rears and perhaps, in the longer term, the doors and the roof. In this CHRISTOPHE MARCEAU Executive Vice President, Director of the Modules Business Group OPEN TALK 30 million of these vehicles feature front modules 85 million vehicles produced annually worldwide OPmobility has a market share of around 20% 6 million front modules produced annually by the Modules Business Group OPmobility — Vibes #3 • 9 8 •
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