IAA MOBILITY Voices - Conference Special
Interview with Juergen Reers
Accenture Senior Managing Director Global Lead - Automotive & Mobility
Accenture Senior Managing Director Global Lead - Automotive & Mobility
Juergen Reers is Senior Managing Director and global Lead for Automotive & Mobility, responsible for all worldwide activities within Accenture’s Automotive & Mobility Industry Solutions and Client Account Teams. He also serves on the Global Leadership Council of Accenture.
With a career spanning over almost three decades, Reers has demonstrated exceptional expertise in driving digital transformation, innovation, and strategic growth for clients around the globe. With more than 25 years of consulting and industry experience in Automotive & Mobility, he has worked for numerous OEM´s, suppliers, mobility service providers and within distribution/retail with a focus on strategy/ M&A, sales, marketing, and performance improvement. His attention focused on collaborating with Automotive clients on large transformation programs toward software-enabled and sustainable mobility.
He has founded and led the Mobility X Practice integrating all Accenture initiatives on Connected, Autonomous and Shared Mobility across all relevant industries and regions. Accenture Mobility X enables companies to prepare for and shape the future of mobility, collaborating with the practices in Industry X. Furthermore, Juergen has launched and sponsors the Accenture Software Defined Vehicle Industry Solution.
Juergen is a regular speaker at industry events and a contributor to leading publications. He frequently advises, writes, and talks about the implication of technology on the automotive and mobility industry and how businesses can leverage new technologies to transform and re-invent business models.
Juergen lived and worked for five years in the United States and led the North America region of a global strategy consulting firm. He served on the Board of the German American Chamber of Commerce for the Midwest in Chicago, Illinois, and was a member of the German American Business Council in Washington, DC. Juergen is a scholar of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation.
He currently lives in Munich.
Juergen Reers is Senior Managing Director and global Lead for Automotive & Mobility, responsible for all worldwide activities within Accenture’s Automotive & Mobility Industry Solutions and Client Account Teams. He also serves on the Global Leadership Council of Accenture.
With a career spanning over almost three decades, Reers has demonstrated exceptional expertise in driving digital transformation, innovation, and strategic growth for clients around the globe. With more than 25 years of consulting and industry experience in Automotive & Mobility, he has worked for numerous OEM´s, suppliers, mobility service providers and within distribution/retail with a focus on strategy/ M&A, sales, marketing, and performance improvement. His attention focused on collaborating with Automotive clients on large transformation programs toward software-enabled and sustainable mobility.
He has founded and led the Mobility X Practice integrating all Accenture initiatives on Connected, Autonomous and Shared Mobility across all relevant industries and regions. Accenture Mobility X enables companies to prepare for and shape the future of mobility, collaborating with the practices in Industry X. Furthermore, Juergen has launched and sponsors the Accenture Software Defined Vehicle Industry Solution.
Juergen is a regular speaker at industry events and a contributor to leading publications. He frequently advises, writes, and talks about the implication of technology on the automotive and mobility industry and how businesses can leverage new technologies to transform and re-invent business models.
Juergen lived and worked for five years in the United States and led the North America region of a global strategy consulting firm. He served on the Board of the German American Chamber of Commerce for the Midwest in Chicago, Illinois, and was a member of the German American Business Council in Washington, DC. Juergen is a scholar of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation.
He currently lives in Munich.
What does "Experience Connected Mobility" mean to you?
To me, connected mobility represents a whole new ecosystem of Mobility that is not only sustainable but also digitally advanced, seamlessly integrating into people's lives. In this visionary concept, diverse forms of mobility, including rail systems, autonomous shuttles, micro-mobility options, and much more, are seamlessly brought together on a single, user-friendly platform, enabling customers to embark on affordable and effortless journeys. The chosen mode of mobility transforms into a captivating third space, tailored to entertain and cater to the unique needs and preferences of each user's life purpose.
What do you hope to achieve at IAA MOBILITY 2023?
At IAA MOBILITY 2023, we have a clear mission: to focus on and provide guidance to the needs of mobility providers in the midst of crucial trends like software-defined vehicles, direct sales experiences, and e-mobility. Our solutions are centered around collaboration across industry boundaries and a strong digital core, fueled by the capabilities of cloud, data, and AI. These pillars play a vital role in revolutionizing business models, giving rise to cutting-edge e-mobility and digital user and
mobility services. Additionally, they pave the way for the realization of the software-defined vehicle concept and enable the digitization of the entire value chain.
Which essential topic of the future receives too little attention from the public?
An essential yet frequently overlooked aspect in the mobility context is the infrastructure needed to support the widespread adoption of electric vehicles, which includes the establishment of charging stations and grid upgrades. A notable example is Germany, where the government has ambitious plans to have 15 million electric cars on the road by 2030, up from 1 million in 2022. This equates to a yearly growth rate of 40%. However, achieving this goal hinges not only on making electric cars more affordable but also on ensuring that the charging infrastructure provides a convenient and comfortable experience, while also relying on renewable energy sources. Addressing these challenges is of utmost importance to achieve our ambitious goals for a greener and more sustainable transportation system. Creating truly smart grids opens up new opportunities for vehicle-to-grid services to stabilize energy supply and to make e-vehicles more affordable.
In which area of mobility do you see the greatest potential and where do you see the greatest need to catch up?
Connected mobility presents great potential, with digitally enabled services expected to be valued at over 1.5 billion US dollars by 2030. These services not only create new revenue streams for mobility providers but also enhance the user experience over a lifetime through over-the-air updates, fostering more continuous and dynamic customer relationships.
However, there still exists a notable performance gap between customer expectations and the current reality. Renewal rates for existing digital offerings remain low. To bridge this gap, organizations must adopt an entirely new mindset, akin to that of a software company – highly agile and dedicated to crafting unique customer experiences. Embracing this transformative approach will enable mobility providers to meet and exceed customer expectations, leading to stronger customer loyalty and continued success in the rapidly evolving mobility landscape.
IAA MOBILITY is the leading global mobility platform. It connects innovators from all spectrums of mobility. Who do you want to network with in September and why?
The IAA Mobility offers an ideal opportunity to engage with participants from diverse sectors of the new mobility ecosystem, ranging from car manufacturers and tech companies to service providers and micro-mobility enthusiasts. My main interest lies in exchanging with these experts about how to envision a human-centric mobility experience that seamlessly integrates with people's lives and aligns with their individual purposes. I anticipate lively discussions during our panels, meaningful conversations with clients, and valuable interactions with our ecosystem partners.
The event promises to be an exhilarating and stimulating environment, filled with like-minded individuals who share a common vision for a sustainable and digital mobility future. I am excited to be part of this collaborative platform where we can collectively shape the future of mobility and drive positive change in the industry.
The world is fundamentally changing. Innovation as well as current challenges in the mobility sector are bigger than ever before. What is your vision of the world in 20 years?
In my vision of the world in 20 years, I see a sustainable and digital mobility landscape with electric and autonomous vehicles as the norm. Mobility will be convenient, affordable, ubiquitous, safe and climate neutral. It will significantly contribute to enhancing our experience in moving from A to B and will increase the quality of life in metropolitan as well as rural areas. The charging infrastructure will be widespread and powered by renewable energy sources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Mobility solutions will be seamlessly integrated and human-centric, tailored to individual needs. Technological advancements like AI and data analytics will optimize traffic flow and enhance the customer experience. Collaboration among stakeholders will drive a cohesive and inclusive mobility ecosystem for a transformed and innovative global landscape. This vision is a promise to present and future generations, holding significant advantages for the environment, society, and the economy alike.