Interview with Johannes Helmich

What does "Experience Connected Mobility" mean to you?
For me, "Experience Connected Mobility" conveys a sense of responsibility and community at the same time - the responsibility to actively promote new technologies and innovations with a clear focus on future mobility. This can only happen through a strong community in the global network of the automotive industry. At this year's IAA Mobility, we are presenting our expanded product portfolio to the world. It reinforces TI Fluid Systems' commitment for a greener, smarter, highly efficient and connected mobility.

What do you hope to achieve at IAA MOBILITY 2023?
First and foremost, we are looking forward to welcoming our customers at this year's fair and presenting the new products in our core portfolio together with our latest innovations. At the same time, we are looking forward to meeting long-time companions from the automotive industry as well as making numerous new contacts. It takes the global automotive industry to actively address tomorrow's mobility today. Our management team and technology experts at our TI Fluid Systems stand will be available to our customers and all other interested parties for an open exchange.

At this year's IAA Mobility, our focus is primarily on our recently developed modular thermal management system, which is specifically engineered for the mobility of the future and the demand for efficiency. Our engineering teams around the world have been working hard over the last few years to develop these cutting-edge technologies. Visitors to our stand can get a first-hand impression of our innovations in the field of thermal management and learn about our holistic product portfolio – from component to system level. With a focus on system competence, we will also be exhibiting a demo vehicle that impressively demonstrates the potential of an efficient TI thermal management system to improve battery range.

Which essential topic of the future receives too little attention from the public?
The primary focus is currently on cybersecurity, connectivity and autonomous driving. These are all important topics with challenges that need to be solved. In my view, however, it is even more important to put the current customer needs in the foreground. First and foremost, the end customer expects electromobility without restrictions - in terms of battery range, charging time and available charging infrastructure.

In order to overcome this challenge, efficiency is the main driver . This is also the reason why we at TI Fluid Systems believe that "Efficiency is the New Currency", which highlights efficiency as the new currency in temperature control of battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

At TI Fluid Systems, we develop innovative thermal management solutions for a diverse range of customer needs. Our modular system allows us to offer tailor-made thermal management solutions with maximum flexibility. During the development process, we primarily focus on the efficiency of our systems, which in total increases the efficiency of the entire vehicle, minimizes energy losses and maximizes the battery range by up to 20%.

In which area of mobility do you see the greatest potential and where do you see the greatest need to catch up?
The greatest potential of the mobility transition lies in creating clean, sustainable but also innovative mobility.

Electrification is already the first milestone, but we still see great potential in the associated influencing factors. For example, the expansion of the infrastructure of fast-charging stations in rural areas and along highways is crucial. Otherwise, the customer's desire for maximum flexibility will not be met and the switch to BEVs will be made more difficult.

In addition to the infrastructure, OEMs and legislators must make sure that sustainable, CO2 neutral and reusable materials are generated and used. This also includes the limited raw materials used in the batteries. The entire supply chain can and must make a significant contribution to the sustainability of the product, which is the BEV.

It is important to remember that energy sources must also be renewable in order to make the entire life cycle of the vehicle more environmentally friendly.

In addition to e-mobility, hydrogen or even e-fuels are of course potential energy sources that have enormous potential, but still require significant effort as a competitive energy source.

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?
I am very much looking forward to all the upcoming conversations and meetings and I am curious about customer feedback on our innovations. But of course, I am also interested in all the other exhibitors and their exciting news and innovations.

The world is fundamentally changing. Innovation and also the endeavors in the mobility sector are bigger than ever before. What is your vision of the world in 20 years?
Looking to the future, we are committed to further strengthening our position as a leading provider of thermal management solutions for the changing automotive industry over the next 10 to 25 years. We will continue to expand our product portfolio, develop new breakthrough technologies, while investing even more in research and development and, of course, in our workforce. This is the only way we can meet the changing needs of our customers.