Benedict Abrahamsberg

Last night, we’ve kicked off IAA Transportation in Hanover with the Daimler Truck Media Night. The key messages in a nutshell: ✅ Daimler Truck delivers on the vision of leading sustainable transportation: 11 battery-electric truck models in series-production worldwide by end of 2024. ❗️Game changer to decarbonize trucking in Europe: the flagship Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 addresses the long-haul segment which accounts for 2/3 of CO2-emissions in truck traffic. 💪🏼 Strong alternative to a diesel truck: 621 kWh battery capacity (LFP) and a range of 500 km with one battery charge. 🌱 Unparalleled efficiency: proven 103 kWh/100 km avg. consumption over >15,000 km on the 'eActros 600 European Testing Tour 2024' translates into the energy content of 10l of diesel/100 km. 🌍 True eMobility Pioneer: the FUSO Next Generation eCanter is now available in more than 100 variants and 42 markets around the globe. 🆕 Completed electric city bus portfolio: the new Mercedes-Benz eCitaro K with shorter wheelbase is the perfect solution for inner-city public transport. 🚧BUT: the road blocker and major challenge to decarbonize transportation is the required infrastructure, for both battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks and buses. All stakeholders need to act, now. Besides DECARBONIZATION, DIGITALIZATION is key to master the transformation. After many evolutionary steps, Daimler Truck is about to take a revolutionary leap forward – and write the code for "The future of trucking". A redefined vehicle architecture and dedicated operating system intended to be jointly developed with Volvo Group will be the enabler to offer customers an unprecedented level of safety, comfort and efficiency. Here’s the link to the recording of the Daimler Truck Media Night: https://lnkd.in/eTAn69E4 Press material incl. photos and videos can be accessed here: https://lnkd.in/ezRVbJz9 Daimler Truck AG Mercedes-Benz Trucks Daimler Buses GmbH Daimler Truck Asia IAA TRANSPORTATION #eActros600 Picture credit: Daimler Truck AG

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‘It’s like a spark’. Inspiration for the design of the smart #1 The striking design of the new smart #1 owes its lines to a dedicated team of vehicle designers who collaborated to represent what the future of premium electric mobility should look like. In the words of Kai Sieber, Head of Design smart at Mercedes-Benz Design, “What is the brand? We came up with the design philosophy based on values of love, pure and unexpected. We want to connect the people to the car… in the end, you have to bring the teams from Mercedes-Benz AG and GEELY together to create one product. And it’s like a spark.” That spark has created a new era for the smart brand. True to its heritage but leading the way in the electric mobility of today and tomorrow. Teaming up with smart Automobile, LSH Auto Australia is excited to soon introduce the all-electric smart #1 and smart #3 to the Australian market. Learn more at https://loom.ly/dBLdT-c #LSHAutoAustralia #smart #1 #smartdesignstory #designstory #electricmobility

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The Volkswagen Group frequently makes negative headlines, leading to talk of a serious crisis. Hansueli Jost is investing in VW shares and other European car stocks. In an interview with Citywire Deutschland, he explains why he does not see the e-competition from the Chinese as a risk. Read more: https://lnkd.in/exFsGuJM #eurozone #value #relativevalue #team #alpha #investment #finance

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Volkswagen's management faces a tense meeting with its workforce at the Wolfsburg headquarters on Wednesday, where they will propose significant cost-cutting measures, including potential factory closures in Germany. The automaker aims to achieve a 6.5% profit margin by 2026, up from the current 2.3%, but the proposed cuts have sparked fierce resistance from the workforce, with Works Council head Daniela Cavallo leading the charge. As unions prepare for wage negotiations in October, the threat of plant closures looms large, making the path to consensus uncertain. #Volkswagen #AutoIndustry #JobCuts #ProfitMargin #FactoryClosures #Germany #UnionNegotiations #ElectricVehicles

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3/3 USED MOTORBIKE DEMAND TRENDS: August saw sales drop by -21.4% after this year’s peak in July, according to our new Motorbike and Scooter Market View analysis. Harley-Davidson saw the biggest percentage increase in ad views MoM on the MOTORS network, making it more popular than BMW for the first time this year. Almost 30% of listings were for bikes aged over 10 years with nearly 50% of ad views directed at this age band. 

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As our Lead Business Development & Sales and from all your conversations with our partners, what do you expect from 2025, Lasse Schmidt van Hülst? 📈 For our series #AdventsTrends we asked four Volkswagen Group Info Services AG thought leaders to share their personal expectations for the upcoming year. Here's his answer: "In the coming years, and particularly in 2025, I anticipate significant advancements towards a more digital, connected, and data-driven future. This transformation will also affect how we interact with customers. For the Volkswagen Group our central data hub can play a pivotal role in this evolution. It already facilitates data access, guides teams through technical onboarding, and helps to manage operations and incidents. This robust foundation will enable us to deliver an even more digital and personalized customer experience. But still, this is a people business. Human connections will forever be the basis for all of this. Therefore, I'm looking forward to all the personal meetings, conversations and events that 2025 will bring."

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It is holiday time 🏖️ so today I will allow myself a none Automotive-related post about my single-Hobby: Running 🏃🏻‍♀️ In some sense, I love and I hate 😡 to run…I love that I DID run but I hate it when I AM runnING 😂 Nevertheless, in addition of the benefits for my health, I believe it helps me for my job, especially as a young entrepreneur… First, when alone with myself, it allows me to think and reflect on myself 🤔. On several occasions, I had good ideas and I have been solving many hard technical problems (🚘 🪫⚙️⚡️…) for the last 15 years But the most important thing for me is the mindset learning 🎓. You cannot cheat and there is no excuse: succeed your goals or fail! I love the feeling of achieving a new stage 👏🏻 that seemed impossible few months ago Another learning is that there is not such a thing as motivation…motivation is an illusion for beginners; commitment, consistency and constant fight against my own laziness 🥱 is a more honest description 😂 I could talk for hours about the mental benefits 🧘🏻‍♀️ for me to run and how it has made me stronger in my job I know I am an average runner 🏃🏻‍♀️ and know nothing about technics and competition but that is not my objective: as the video says: „it is not about the mileage 🛣️ or the pace ⏱️, it is about creating a certainty in a world of uncertainties“

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🚗 The Pressure Mounts on Volkswagen: Implications for Germany's Economy Volkswagen, one of Germany’s iconic automakers, is facing significant challenges as its CEO calls for "urgent measures" to secure the company's future. This comes as the automotive giant navigates slowing demand, fierce competition—especially from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers—and the costly transition to EVs. The urgency of this message underlines the immense pressure on traditional automakers to adapt or risk falling behind. Volkswagen’s struggles are not just a corporate issue; they resonate deeply with Germany’s economy. The automotive sector is a cornerstone of the country’s economic stability, employing millions and driving exports. A downturn in this sector could ripple across supply chains, impact employment, and slow economic growth. As the EV revolution accelerates, the global automotive landscape is shifting dramatically. For Germany, ensuring its automakers remain competitive will be critical—not only for the industry but for the broader economy. How should legacy companies respond to these pressures while balancing innovation and cost-efficiency? #Volkswagen #AutomotiveIndustry #EVRevolution #GermanyEconomy #Sustainability #SupplyChain Read the WSJ article: https://lnkd.in/gptrfGqx

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Automated driving functions for all vehicle classes – this is the goal Bosch and CARIAD are pursuing with the Automated Driving Alliance. 🚘🙌 From the first line of code, tests, and validation to the delivery of functions: We have managed to significantly shorten the go-to-market timeline. The first functions will offer drivers comprehensive assistance with the driving task, featuring handsfree-driving on freeways and active lane-changing support. #BoschTechDay #automateddriving #adas

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AUTOHAUS - one of the leading automotive publishing houses in Germany - and the market research company puls publish the “AUTOHAUS BankenMonitor” annually in the last 17 years. For this purpose, over 1.000 car dealers have been interviewed about their satisfaction working with captives and non-captives in the last weeks again. Wednesday evening the closing event for 2024 took place at the Drivers Club Munich, moderated by the Autohaus publishing director Ralph M. Meunzel (picture, left) and Dr. Konrad Wessner, CEO puls Marktforschung. For me, also from a CX, sales and marketing perspective, it was a very interesting evening to listen, discuss and compare developments and current general market requirements around Germany's new car market. Especially, as captive finance / leasing is still playing a major role in our new car business and affects the complete business today and tomorrow. PS:1 Congratulations to all winners and involved teams. PS:2 Thanks to Stefan Eling from our VCFS Joint Venture Partner Santander and the colleagues on-site for a content-rich and inspiring meeting PS:3 The complete Volvo and VCFS team is proud to see the best satisfaction score overall for our current VCFS commercial-leasing offer in Germany. Ranked on position 1 within 26 leasing-providers overall. Thanks for this motivational scoring from our Volvo retailers in Germany 🇩🇪👏🏽 #newcarmarket #autohaus #competition #BankenMonitor #Germany #leasing #schwedenleasing #volvocars #vcfs #volvocarfinancialservices

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What do we value in our mobility experiences today?  Performance, safety, in-car entertainment, flexible access? Whatever it is, there’s a good chance that it’s provided by software.  That’s right, some of our favorite #automotive brands are increasingly becoming software companies.  Consider this:  ➡️ 23% of automotive companies already consider themselves to be software companies.  ➡️ 47% believe they will be in the next 3-5 years.  Check out how software is driving mobility experiences of the future: https://bit.ly/3PFv3Rr #FutureOfMobility #SDT #OEMs

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At the 5th & 6th of June, staging the NEW MOBILITY WORLD & the CAR Symposium, we are joined by Dr. Christian Dahlheim, CEO of Volkswagen Financial Services & Gunnar Kilian, Board Member HR + Truck & Bus at Volkswagen Group - Two key players who embody crucial aspects of Volkswagen's transformation journey. One of the main keys to success is the human factor. Customers not only expect outstanding products but also fast, digital and flexible access to mobility. Similarly, acknowledging the human factor from the employee standpoint is essential. The challenges of transformation demand a diverse and sustainable personnel management. More information can be found on http://car-symposium.com & https://lnkd.in/eGVaYDQC - Contact us for more information! #carsymposium #newmobilityworld #transformation #sustainability #carcenterautomotiveresearch

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Curious how electric vehicles fit into your daily routine? The My BMW App’s Electric Vehicle Analysis feature could be the answer. Dirk Wiedmann, Senior VP of Sales Steering and Strategy, Digitalisation at BMW emphasizes the app's role in helping customers make informed decisions. With five yearly updates, the app is constantly evolving to meet the needs of BMW and MINI drivers. #BMW #Sustainability #EVAnalysis

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Volkswagen Group Launches Groundbreaking Cross-Brand Campaign to Promote Electromobility In a significant move to dispel myths and build trust around electromobility, the Volkswagen Group has announced its first-ever cross-brand communication campaign. The initiative aims to provide clear, fact-based information to counter common misconceptions, making the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) more accessible and appealing to customers worldwide. A key highlight of the campaign is a special 12-page edition of the Volkswagen Magazine, circulated in November with a print run of 1.2 million copies. Distributed through weekly newspapers, industry magazines, and car dealerships, the publication directly addresses customer concerns with factual arguments. Additionally, the Volkswagen Group has launched a series […] - https://lnkd.in/dXgkM_QG #automotive #evs #ev #electricmobility #emobility #ebikes #fleets #evfleet #evnews #autonews #electricvehicles #electricvehicle #automotiveindustry #automotivejobs #cleantech #cleanenergy #hydrogen #lithium #evbattery #sustainability #climatechange #electricvehicles #electromobility #europe #germany #sustainability #volkswagen

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🚗 AI in Automotive Marketing: Navigating the Buzz AI is everywhere in the automotive industry right now. But let’s be real—cutting through the noise can feel overwhelming for OEMs and dealers. 👉 What’s hype? 👉 What truly adds value to your business? If you’re nodding along, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. At Phyron AI, we’ve created a handy guide to help you unlock the power of AI for automotive marketing. ✅ Practical insights ✅ Real-world applications ✅ Tangible benefits 💡 Ready to make AI work for you? Download our free white paper here: https://lnkd.in/ebFR--Kk If you want to find out more or a demo leave a comment below and i will message you back to organise.

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Volkswagen is facing significant challenges. The company plans to close three German factories and cut thousands of jobs to address a $155 billion debt. Union strikes are intensifying, adding pressure as the company deals with a drop in sales. Here’s what dealers can do to adapt: Reassess future orders: With potential production slowdowns, evaluate your upcoming inventory pipeline and adjust accordingly. Ramp up pre-owned strategies: Focus on promoting certified pre-owned vehicles to meet customer needs if new inventory becomes limited. Double down on EV knowledge: Volkswagen’s challenges could shift focus further toward EVs. Prepare your team to lead these conversations. Change brings uncertainty, but also opportunities for innovation. How do you recommend staying ahead and being prepared for the changes coming? #dealership #cardealership #dealerships

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Automotive Marketing 2024 - the great helplessness Never before have so many brands sought to enter the German automotive market as in the last five years. As a result of the Chinese 🚗 NEV boom, the number of competing brands has increased by 50% since 2010. Although the German automotive market has always been one of the most competitive, the battle for attention, reputation and purchase intention has reached even new dimensions in light of this development. However, instead of acting particularly effectively and efficiently in the face of this immense competition, many efforts by market entrants seem rather helpless. As a result, the high market share expectations often soon have to be revised downwards 📉 . According to our observations, these are the main pitfalls: 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Insufficient studying of the German car buyer Attitudes differ a lot between markets - especially when it comes to connected services and online/D2C car purchase. This needs to be reflected in setup of marcom and distribution strategies. ™ Inconsistent Branding - badge labelling and random rebrandings go in line with blurry definitions of primary brand vs. car lines. This - together with low cultural sensitivity in car line naming - leads to erratic renamings and additional media cost 📺 Lack of channel competence - even highest media spendings fade away when the correct landing pages domains 🔗 (e.g. ".de" in Germany) are not secured at all or even highjacked by freeriders. Mobile Apps might be a good choice to address Asian buyers during the consideration phase - in Germany they are more likely to be used in the post purchase phase. My overall advice to these brands is to avoid micromanaging a roster of too many specialized agencies. The efforts to align these partners are immense and will be even multiplied when the work results need to be explained to the HQ far away. The idea of a lead agency that can understand and consolidate the costumer, data, media and creative perspectives AND manage the 🍜 cultural differences can be a true guiderail for brands trying to get their foot on the slippery German car marketing floor. Want to learn more? Send me a PM or mail to [email protected] #onedentsu #automotivemarketing #dreamdodeliver

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