Frantic race to the future in full bloom

At a recent conference attended by major role players in the South African automotive space, one speaker highlighted that motor manufacturers need ‘’an ability to manage a future not yet defined’’.

That makes no sense and yet it makes all the sense in the world. The world’s automotive sector finds itself in a bit of a limbo. On the one hand manufacturers have to deal with the world’s changing demands in terms of what drives vehicles, and on the other, autonomous driving and the connectivity that is part and parcel to it keeping everyone on their toes.

An employee at Nissan recently said that 98% of current operations – besides making cars – at the Japanese manufacturer is focused on future developments even though nothing is clear cut yet.

The uncertainty was highlighted at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show, where the 800 exhibitors are almost 200 down from last year. Also, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Nissan and Toyota aren’t even part of the show.

Organisers also had to deal with thousands of protesters demanding cars driven by internal combustion engines must be banned from city centres. They were particularly severe on SUVs, displaying banners calling them ‘’climate killers’’.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel even took time out to address the crowd, vowing she’ll support the car industry through “revolutions” in climate protection and digitalisation.

Judging on that reaction greener cars are gathering tremendous pace. Whether it’s hybrids, plug-in hybrids or full-on electric cars, it’s happening and engines as we know it will be phased out sooner rather than later. And Chinese manufacturers of batteries and related electrical components have not wasted any time in seizing the opportunity to showcase their offerings in Frankfurt in order to be a major presence once the real global boom in electric cars comes.

At the other end of the spectrum, car manufacturers have had to line up communication partners to provide technology and assist them in gearing up for autonomous driving. And like in the case of what will drive our future cars, the exact logistics of a world of autonomous cars haven’t been figured out yet, but nobody’s taking chances in being left behind. And that brings us back to the theme of adjusting for a future not as yet to be determined.

It’s doubtful whether Mzansi’s streets will be lined by angry tree huggers anytime soon, but what happens in a country housing a good number of the world’s most authoritative car makers will have a direct impact on the rest of the world sooner rather than later. So paying attention can only be beneficial. To use Bob Dylan’s famous lyrics: “The times they are a-changin.’’