On Tuesday, 26th of March the conference participants will have the opportunity of an exclusive test drive with two hydrogen-powered vehicles.
The parallel conference program will run in congress rooms (see below):
TULI CINEMA (Tuesday) & INNOVATION (Wednesday)
March, 26th (Tuesday)
8:30 AM Registration
Registration and badge collection
Registration will start on the day one of the conference at 8:30 AM at the entrance of the conference foyer and will continue until the lunch. After lunch of the first day, the registration of participants will be possible at the info booth in the conference foyer.
09:50 AM - 10:00 AM Opening Speech of the Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic
Peter Žiga
Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic
EDUCATION:
1990 – 1995: University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of Business Economy, Košice
1991: Course for students from Eastern Europe under the auspices of the Union Bank of Switzerland- St. Gallen, Switzerland
2006 – 2009: Technical University of Košice
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2016 – present: Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic
2012 – 2016: Minister of the Environment of the Slovak Republic
2010 – 2012: Member of Parliament, National Council of the Slovak Republic
2006 – 2010: State Secretary, Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic
10:00 - 10:45 Development of the automotive industry and its competitiveness in the V4 region in the context of incoming trends.
Vojtech Ferencz
Secretary of State, Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic
Date of birth: August 20, 1970
EDUCATION:
2007 – 2010 University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of Business Economy, Košice, dissertation defense /PhD title/
1991 – 1995 University of Economics in Bratislava, Faculty of Business Economy, Košice, Department of Management, Marketing and Accounting /Ing title/
1989 – 1991 University of Economics in Prague, Department of International Trade
1985 – 1989 Secondary Grammar School Kráľovský Chlmec
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
06/2012 – 03/2016 State Secretary, Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic
04/2012 – 06/2012 Advisor to Minister, Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic
09/2010 – 04/2012 Deputy Director for Economy, Slovak Water Management Enterprise, s.p.- plant in Košice
07/2010 – 09/2010 CEO, Advanz, s.r.o. Košice
04/2007 – 06/2010 Director General of Strategy Section, Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic
11/2005 – 03/2007 Accountant and Financial Manager in private companies in Košice
08/1995 – 11/2005 Assistent GR, Plant Manager, Financial Director, Východoslovenské strojárne a.s.,
Foreign Languages
Hungarian – advanced (spoken and written)
English – advanced (spoken and written)
German – intermediate (spoken and written)
Russian – intermediate (spoken and written)
Spanish – beginner
Marcin Ociepa
Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Entrepreneurship and Technology of the Republic of Poland
10:45AM - 10:55 AM Introducing the Main Topics of the Conference
Alexander Matušek
President, Automotive Industry Association of the Slovak republic
He heads the External Relations / Environment / Social Services department at Volkswagen Slovakia, a.s. In the past, he was responsible for the management of the entire logistics at Volkswagen Slovakia and also held several management positions within the Volkswagen Group in Portugal and the USA. Since 2018, he is the President of the Automotive Industry Association of the Slovak Republic (second term). In 2018, he was elected Vice President of the Federation of Slovak Industrial and Transport Associations.
Ivan Hodáč
Event host, founder of Aspen Institute Central Europe, former ACEA Secretary-General
Ivan Hodač is a Founder and President of the Aspen Institute Prague. He was Secretary-General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) from 2001 until October 2013. He is the Chairman of the Board at cabinet DN. The Financial Times listed him among the most influential personalities in Brussels politics. Before joining ACEA, he was Senior Vice-President and Head of the Time Warner Corporate office for Europe. Previously he was Secretary-General of the trade organization IFMA/IMACE, Senior Economist at Didier & Associates, and Assistant Professor at the College of Europe, Bruges. He was born in Prague, where he studied mechanical engineering. He completed his education in economics and political science at the University of Copenhagen and the College of Europe in Bruges (European studies).
10:55 AM - 11:25 AM Volkswagen Slovakia Lecture
Oliver Grünberg
Chairman of the Board of Management and Member of the Board of Management, Production, Volkswagen Slovakia
Dr. Oliver Grünberg studied physics at the Technical University of Braunschweig, where he subsequently obtained a doctorate in mechanical engineering. He has been working for the Volkswagen Group since 1995. From 2007 to 2009, he headed vehicle production at the Volkswagen Group Rus plant in Kaluga. In 2010, he held the position of Managing Director and Director of Technical Affairs at ŠKODA AUTO India. Two years later, he took over responsibility for the VGR-GAZ project in Nizhny Novgorod. From 2014 to 2017, he headed the ŠKODA AUTO brand planning department in Mladá Boleslav. From there, in 2017, he returned to Russia, where he worked as Technical Director and Deputy General Manager at Volkswagen Group Rus in Kaluga. Since 2019, he has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors for the technical area at Volkswagen Slovakia.
11:25 AM - 12:05 AM Eco-Mobility and Alternative Powertrains
Thomas A. Schmid
Chief Operating Officer, Hyundai Motor Europe
As Chief Operating Officer, Thomas A. Schmid is responsible for setting business direction and overseeing Hyundai’s pan-European sales, marketing and customer service operations. Mr Schmid joined Hyundai Motor Europe in May 2013. Prior to this, he held various senior management roles in the European automotive industry, covering multiple brands and disciplines. He graduated from the University of Vienna as Master of Business Administration, Master of Law and Economics, and Master of Laws, as well as completing further professional and business qualifications in the USA.
The speech will outline Hyundai’s vision for alternative powertrain vehicles and how they can contribute towards a zero emissions mobility. It will consider the milestones that the technology has achieved, refer to examples of successful deployment and consider challenges that still need to be overcome.
12:05 AM - 1:30 PM Olym-Pick Restaurant
Hotel Partizan Restaurant
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM Status and Prospects of Hydrogen Mobility in Europe
Carlos Navas
Strategy Officer, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking
Fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) using hydrogen as fuel are now entering the commercial phase. A number of projects funded by the FCH JU are showcasing the advantages of this technology in terms of reliability, range and refueling time. In addition, a recent study from the FCH JU indicates that trends towards zero emission mobility will trigger adoption in large numbers, accounting for sales of up to 1 in 12 light commercial vehicles by 2030. In economic terms, hydrogen-based transport can account for up to 24.4B€ by 2030.
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM CO2 and electrification
Martin Hrdlicka
Head of the Chassis and Powertain Development, ŠKODA Auto
Head of Chassis and Powertrain Development at ŠKODA AUTO, graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague in 1992. In 2002 he obtained an MBA degree from North Carolina’s Pfeiffer University and in 2006 he earned his doctorate from the Ostrava Technical University
Career
1992 Mercedes Benz AG, Stuttgart – Research / Development commercial vehicles, trucks
1993 – 1995 Škoda automobilová a.s.
Design Engineer – specialist in traction control systems
1995 – 1996 VW AG, Wolfsburg
Specialist in chassis development
From 1996 ŠKODA AUTO a.s., Technical Development
Various positions:
– Assistant Department Manager – brake systems (1996 – 2001)
– Simultaneous Engineering Team Manager of Chassis Development for FABIA and SUPERB (1997 – 2001)
– Department Manager, powertrain integration development (2001 – 2005)
– Department Manager, chassis development (2005 – 2008)
– Head of chassis and powertrain development (since 2008)
Member of
– Scientific Council of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague
– State Examination Board of the Czech Technical University in Prague
– Scientific Council of the Research Centre of the Technical University in Plzeň
– Board of Directors of Doctoral studies in Production Machines and Design department of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Technical University of Ostrava
– Czech Automobile Society
– Assessment Committee of the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education
– Chairman of the Board of Education of the Dr. Josef Pekař Secondary School Mladá Boleslav
– Management Board of the Endowment Fund of ŠKODA AUTO
The lecture discusses the relationship of CO2 emissions and electrification of passenger vehicles in the EU.
02:15 PM - 02:30 PM NGV – optimal solution of medium-term transport
Jan Vodstrcil
Homologation and Product Safety Manager,Iveco Bus
Jan Vodstrčil is responsible for technical legislation, homologations and safety of product in IVECO Bus group, European No. 1 in bus business. He is certified Expert of Forensic Science in Road Traffic and Machinery, member of Expert Advisory Body of Technological Agency of the Czech Republic. Represents Czech Automotive Industry Association in ACEA in HDV affairs. Since 2011 has participated in several national working groups implementing DAFI and other governmental strategies.
During last quarter of a century NGV and CNG/LNG infrastructure went through intensive development and became worthy alternative to petroleum based fuels. It became accessible, efficient, affordable and even sustainable technology, that in some applications willalternate diesels, in some applications may serve as intermediate stage on a way to electric mobility.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Alternative Powertrains and Fuels – Panel Discussion
Martin Hrdlicka
Head of the Chassis and Powertain Development, ŠKODA Auto
Head of Chassis and Powertrain Development at ŠKODA AUTO, graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague in 1992. In 2002 he obtained an MBA degree from North Carolina’s Pfeiffer University and in 2006 he earned his doctorate from the Ostrava Technical University
Career
1992 Mercedes Benz AG, Stuttgart – Research / Development commercial vehicles, trucks
1993 – 1995 Škoda automobilová a.s.
Design Engineer – specialist in traction control systems
1995 – 1996 VW AG, Wolfsburg
Specialist in chassis development
From 1996 ŠKODA AUTO a.s., Technical Development
Various positions:
– Assistant Department Manager – brake systems (1996 – 2001)
– Simultaneous Engineering Team Manager of Chassis Development for FABIA and SUPERB (1997 – 2001)
– Department Manager, powertrain integration development (2001 – 2005)
– Department Manager, chassis development (2005 – 2008)
– Head of chassis and powertrain development (since 2008)
Member of
– Scientific Council of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague
– State Examination Board of the Czech Technical University in Prague
– Scientific Council of the Research Centre of the Technical University in Plzeň
– Board of Directors of Doctoral studies in Production Machines and Design department of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of Technical University of Ostrava
– Czech Automobile Society
– Assessment Committee of the National Accreditation Bureau for Higher Education
– Chairman of the Board of Education of the Dr. Josef Pekař Secondary School Mladá Boleslav
– Management Board of the Endowment Fund of ŠKODA AUTO
Jong Hun Kim
Director of Development, LG Chem Poland
Jan Vodstrcil
Homologation and Product Safety Manager,Iveco Bus
Jan Vodstrčil is responsible for technical legislation, homologations and safety of product in IVECO Bus group, European No. 1 in bus business. He is certified Expert of Forensic Science in Road Traffic and Machinery, member of Expert Advisory Body of Technological Agency of the Czech Republic. Represents Czech Automotive Industry Association in ACEA in HDV affairs. Since 2011 has participated in several national working groups implementing DAFI and other governmental strategies.
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Congress foyer
4:15 PM - 4:45 PM Rescue operation of ESSA Czech
Petr Karásek
Crisis Manager - ASCALAE, Vice President - Czech Association of Interim Management; Advisor to the President - Automotive Industry Association of the Czech Republic, CEO - TATRA TRUCKS
Petr Karásek is manager focused on restructuring or another dynamic changes in companies (restructuring, transfer of production, crisis management, insolvency situation etc.). In the past he worked among others as Executive manager of restructuring in Škoda Transportation, DISA Industries, KORD Group, Jablonex Group, AWELD, ESSA Czech, Kovosvit MAS, and previously as a Commercial director and member of board in Karosa – Renault V.I – IVECO. His most succesfull project was rescue and stabilization of traditional producer of heavy off road trucks TATRA. He is Vice president of Czech Association of Interim management, Member of international Turnaround Management Association, Advisor to the President – Automotive Industry Association of the Czech Republic and Governmental Councillor of the road safety by the Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic.
ESSA Czech (now Tawesco) was stamping and welding producer established by Spain owners in the Czech Republic and supplied about 20 automotive plants across Europe. Due to non-sustainable business model as well as due to low-quality management, this company was facing the bankruptcy situation in the end of 2016 with risk of sudden cut-off deliveries to automotive producers.
This dramatic situation was resolved by the tools of crisis management and insolvency legal procedures within 6 month without any interruption of production and deliveries.
Presentation will be focus on analysis of root causes from the point of view owners, management, customers, employees and other stakeholders completed by suggestions notably for the management of producers Tier 1.
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM The European Commission’s Role in Tackling the Future Challenges of the Automotive Sector
Gwenole Cozigou
Director, DG Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, European Commission
An economist by training, Gwenole COZIGOU has been an official in the European Commission since 1985. He is Director for Sustainable Industry and Mobility, in Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME. His main responsibilities today cover: circular economy, energy union and energy-intensive industries, construction, automotive and rail industries, raw materials, maritime and engineering industries.
- Connected and Automated driving: fostering innovation, competitiveness and safety
- Electrification, with an emphasis on the EU Battery Alliance
5:15 PM - 5:45 PM Why the sky is the best place to travel
Jonathan Carrier
Vice President of Corporate Development, AeroMobil
6:30 PM APANI restaurant
Tálska bastion
March, 27th (Wednesday)
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Innovative and Smart Transformation by Industry Innovation Cluster
Martina Le Gall Maláková
President, Industry Innovation Cluster, French-Slovak Chamber of Commerce
– President of Industry Innovation Cluster – IIC
– President of French and Slovak chamber of commerce – FSOK
– Economic advisor of France – CCE
– Co- owner and general director of company ELECTRIK
- IIC, its main goals, members, current activity
- the necessity of innovation for Industry 4.0 in Slovakia
- the cooperation of large companies with innovators, the start-up scene and universities
- example of four projects, out of more than 40 existing projects
- main topics of IIC for the future – working groups
Peter Švec
Spokesman and Director of External Relations, PSA Groupe Slovakia
– Journalist – by leading Slovak economic week magazine TREND
– Spokesman of the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic
– Director of Communication in different international companies
– Current: since 2006 spokesperson and External Relations Director by Groupe PSA Slovakia
– Current: since 2018, representing Groupe PSA Slovakia – General Secretary of the Industry Innovation Cluster (IIC)
- IIC, its main goals, members, current activity
- the necessity of innovation for Industry 4.0 in Slovakia
- the cooperation of large companies with innovators, the start-up scene and universities
- example of four projects, out of more than 40 existing projects
- main topics of IIC for the future – working groups
9:00 AM - 9:40 AM Holistic User Experience at Volkswagen
Matthias Erb
Head of Holistic User Experience, Volkswagen AG
Dr. Matthias Erb was named Head of Holistic User Experience (HUX) in April 2018. Located in Volkswagen’s headquarters Wolfsburg, Germany, the newly created division is steering the interaction between Technical Development, Design, Product Lines and Sales, in order to ensure the smooth integration of the vehicle into the digital world. The scope of work will gradually extend to the entire model portfolio.
Previously, he served as Chief Engineering Officer for Volkswagen’s North American Region (NAR) since April 2016, and also took over responsibility for the company’s NAR Product Strategy.
Since 2014, in his role as Executive Vice President Dr. Erb has been responsible for the setup of Volkswagen’s North American Engineering & Planning Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The center serves as a core entity for engineering related activities of Volkswagen in the region. The establishment of the center is a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s new strategy for the North American market.
Dr. Erb joined Volkswagen Group in 2003 and has held various management positions at AUDI AG and Audi of America. In 2008, he started leading the office of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen AG in Salzburg, Austria.
Dr. Erb had spent several years as a lecturer for Quality Assurance at the University of Mainz, Germany. He earned degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Economics at Aachen University of Technology as well his PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
The automotive industry is rapidly moving from a traditional clear focus on the vehicle as the core product. It is widely accepted that automotive companies have to accept then new role as Mobility provider in a digitized society. This inevitable shift will require profound changes in the organization and processes of Automotive companies. No longer the pure technical performance of the vehicles but the best possible focus on the customer requirements with their individual living environment will decide about success or leaving the stage. That’s why in 2018 Volkswagen set up the Holistic User Experience (HUX) division. The division is centrally responsible for the consistent implementation of User Experience: From Marketing and Sales, Technical Development to After Sales. The keynote will introduce Volkswagen’s new approach and give some insights on the success factors, structure and processes of HUX.
9:40 AM - 9:55 AM Connected and Automated Mobility from a Telecom Policy Perspective
Filip Svab
Executive Director of International External Affairs, AT&T Germany, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
Filip Svab is responsible for supporting AT&T’s international external and regulatory affairs team in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. His main task is to advocate AT&T positions towards governments, public administration and regulators in this region. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a diversified, global leader in telecommunications, media and entertainment, and technology. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve over 3 million global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000.
Lecture will focus on the regulatory policy environment related to connected and automated cars. What are the telecom regulatory and policy challenges when providing solutions for the automotive sector. Some lessons learned from AT&T’s experience in the US.
9:55 AM - 10:10 AM Connected Cars, Connectivity, 5G Networks
Jay Nagley
R&D Specialist - Automotive Team at the Department for International Trade, UK
Jay has been associated with the car industry since working for Porsche in the late 1980s. Through the 1990s he ran the UK division of a major German consultancy and in 1998 he set up his own consultancy, Spyder Redspy Ltd, providing market analysis, product planning and online services to the car industry. He ran the company until 2014, when he joined the Automotive Sector Team as R&D Specialist.
He now works with UK technology companies to develop their international markets in three key areas: low carbon propulsion, lightweight vehicle structures and connected and autonomous vehicles. He also works with overseas suppliers to increase the amount of R&D they undertake in the UK.
- Connectivity will be near-universal, but autonomy will be application-dependent
- The “walled gardens” of autonomous vehicles
- How will connectivity affect drivers in the meantime?
10:10 AM - 10:25 AM The Transformation of the Automotive Value Chain
Christoph Stürmer
Global Lead Analyst Autofacts, PwC Germany
Christoph Stürmer is the Global Lead Analyst of Autofacts, PwC’s independent competence and research center on the global automotive industry. Christoph has more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, with a background in product management and strategic planning at a leading OEM, and long-ranging experience in industry analysis and market forecasting, as well as manufacturer strategy assessments.
As new technologies make the future of mobility “eascy” (electrified, autonomous, shared, connected and “yearly” updated), additional revenue and profit pools are opened in new mobility services. These new mobility markets will require more and highly specialized vehicles than today, providing additional opportunities for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Strategic choices have to be made now in order to navigate these changes successfully.
10:25 AM - 11:25 AM Technology Megatrends in Automotive – Panel Discussion
Filip Svab
Executive Director of International External Affairs, AT&T Germany, Russia, Central and Eastern Europe
Filip Svab is responsible for supporting AT&T’s international external and regulatory affairs team in Central and Eastern Europe and Russia. His main task is to advocate AT&T positions towards governments, public administration and regulators in this region. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a diversified, global leader in telecommunications, media and entertainment, and technology. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve over 3 million global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000.
Jay Nagley
R&D Specialist - Automotive Team at the Department for International Trade, UK
Jay has been associated with the car industry since working for Porsche in the late 1980s. Through the 1990s he ran the UK division of a major German consultancy and in 1998 he set up his own consultancy, Spyder Redspy Ltd, providing market analysis, product planning and online services to the car industry. He ran the company until 2014, when he joined the Automotive Sector Team as R&D Specialist.
He now works with UK technology companies to develop their international markets in three key areas: low carbon propulsion, lightweight vehicle structures and connected and autonomous vehicles. He also works with overseas suppliers to increase the amount of R&D they undertake in the UK.
Christoph Stürmer
Global Lead Analyst Autofacts, PwC Germany
Christoph Stürmer is the Global Lead Analyst of Autofacts, PwC’s independent competence and research center on the global automotive industry. Christoph has more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, with a background in product management and strategic planning at a leading OEM, and long-ranging experience in industry analysis and market forecasting, as well as manufacturer strategy assessments.
11:25 AM - 12:00 AM
Congress foyer
12:00 AM - 12:10 AM Brexit and After
Sir Jonathan Faull
Chair of European Public Affairs, Brunswick
Sir Jonathan Faull joins Brunswick after a distinguished career at the European Commission working at the highest level on a wide range of policies including competition, justice and home affairs, transport and financial services. As the Commission’s most senior British official his recent roles included Director-General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, as well as Director-General of the Task Force for strategic issues related to the UK Referendum.
Jonathan became Director for Competition Policy at the Directorate-General for Competition in 1995, Deputy Director-General in charge of State aid in 1999 and Spokesman and Director-General of Press and Communication in 1999. He was Director-General of Justice and Home Affairs (later Justice, Freedom and Security) from 2003 to 2010 and then Director-General in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (FISMA) between 2010 and 2015. Latterly he has served as Director-General of the Task Force for Strategic Issues related to the UK Referendum.
He studied law at the University of Sussex and has an MA from the College of Europe in Bruges. He has been a visiting lecturer at Sciences Po, a visiting fellow of the University of Cambridge Centre for European Legal Studies, a visiting professor at the College of Europe since 2009 and Emeritus Professor of Law at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) since 1989.
He is a visiting Professor at King’s College, London and a member of the boards of the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris and the Centre for European Reform in London. Sir Jonathan has also been named by the University of Sussex as Honorary Professor and Fellow of UKTPO within the Business school, as well as Montague Burton Professor of International Relations at the University of Edinburgh.
Sir Jonathan was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2017 for services to UK relations with the European Union.
While we still don’t know precisely when and how Brexit will happen, relations between the UK and the EU will change soon, with consequences for all EU countries. All of Europe, politicians, business people and individual citizens, should think about possible futures as the Brexit saga unfolds. What will be the policies of the EU in the coming years? Who will have most influence? How will large, medium and small countries react? What new coalitions will emerge? How will Europe as a whole interact with the USA, China and Russia?
12:10 AM - 12:20 AM Global Geopolitical Situation and the Automotive Industry
Zdenek Tuma
Partner, KPMG Czech Republic, former guvernor of Czech National Bank
Zdeněk is a partner in KPMG Czech Republic where he leads consulting in financial services. He held various positions in the financial sector in the last 25 years. He was the governor of the Czech National Bank in 2000-2010 as well as a member of the General Council of the ECB. He has been lecturing at Charles University since beginning of the 1990s. Zdenek is a member in scientific and statutory boards at several universities. He is a member of the Czech Economic Society, of which he was the president in 1999-2001.
In his introductory remarks, Zdeněk will focus on major trends in economic and policy area and their impact on the automotive industry. He will address issues such as recent geopolitical changes, demography, or productivity development.
12:20 AM - 12:30 AM External geopolitical and economic factors influencing the EU.
Alexander Micovcin
Director General, Directorate General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovak Republic
Alexander Micovčin is a Director General for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Between 2012 and 2017 he served as a Deputy Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the EU.
He started his diplomatic career at the Slovakian Ministry of Foreign Affairs focusing on Middle East and Africa, and continued working at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in United Arab Emirates, Kenya and as a counsellor at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Denmark and Germany. From 2011 to 2012 he became he the Director General for Economic Co-operation and ODA. He studied at the University of Economics in Bratislava majoring in Foreign Trade.
The intervention focuses on key global factors and developments having decisive impact on the automotive industry of Europe. Reference is also made to regional/global developments and their relation with intra – European developments, regulatory framework and policies shaping environment and the future of the car industry in Europe.
12:30 PM - 12:40 PM U.S. Trade Policy for Automobiles
D.R. Seckinger
Deputy Chief, Political and Economic Section. U.S. Embassy in Bratislava
D.R. Seckinger is the Deputy Chief of the Political and Economic Section at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava. He has previously served in Barbados, Taiwan, and most recently in Moscow. D.R. has a BA in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University, and a MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
D.R. will briefly discuss U.S. trade policy, U.S. and EU trade negotiations, and the potential impact on the trade in automobiles.
12:40 AM - 1:40 PM Global Geopolitical Situation and the Automotive Industry – Panel Discussion
Sir Jonathan Faull
Chair of European Public Affairs, Brunswick
Sir Jonathan Faull joins Brunswick after a distinguished career at the European Commission working at the highest level on a wide range of policies including competition, justice and home affairs, transport and financial services. As the Commission’s most senior British official his recent roles included Director-General Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, as well as Director-General of the Task Force for strategic issues related to the UK Referendum.
Jonathan became Director for Competition Policy at the Directorate-General for Competition in 1995, Deputy Director-General in charge of State aid in 1999 and Spokesman and Director-General of Press and Communication in 1999. He was Director-General of Justice and Home Affairs (later Justice, Freedom and Security) from 2003 to 2010 and then Director-General in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (FISMA) between 2010 and 2015. Latterly he has served as Director-General of the Task Force for Strategic Issues related to the UK Referendum.
He studied law at the University of Sussex and has an MA from the College of Europe in Bruges. He has been a visiting lecturer at Sciences Po, a visiting fellow of the University of Cambridge Centre for European Legal Studies, a visiting professor at the College of Europe since 2009 and Emeritus Professor of Law at the Free University of Brussels (VUB) since 1989.
He is a visiting Professor at King’s College, London and a member of the boards of the Jacques Delors Institute in Paris and the Centre for European Reform in London. Sir Jonathan has also been named by the University of Sussex as Honorary Professor and Fellow of UKTPO within the Business school, as well as Montague Burton Professor of International Relations at the University of Edinburgh.
Sir Jonathan was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2017 for services to UK relations with the European Union.
Alexander Micovcin
Director General, Directorate General for European Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovak Republic
Alexander Micovčin is a Director General for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Between 2012 and 2017 he served as a Deputy Permanent Representative of the Slovak Republic to the EU.
He started his diplomatic career at the Slovakian Ministry of Foreign Affairs focusing on Middle East and Africa, and continued working at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in United Arab Emirates, Kenya and as a counsellor at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Denmark and Germany. From 2011 to 2012 he became he the Director General for Economic Co-operation and ODA. He studied at the University of Economics in Bratislava majoring in Foreign Trade.
D.R. Seckinger
Deputy Chief, Political and Economic Section. U.S. Embassy in Bratislava
D.R. Seckinger is the Deputy Chief of the Political and Economic Section at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava. He has previously served in Barbados, Taiwan, and most recently in Moscow. D.R. has a BA in Economics and Political Science from Northwestern University, and a MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.
Zdenek Tuma
Partner, KPMG Czech Republic, former guvernor of Czech National Bank
Zdeněk is a partner in KPMG Czech Republic where he leads consulting in financial services. He held various positions in the financial sector in the last 25 years. He was the governor of the Czech National Bank in 2000-2010 as well as a member of the General Council of the ECB. He has been lecturing at Charles University since beginning of the 1990s. Zdenek is a member in scientific and statutory boards at several universities. He is a member of the Czech Economic Society, of which he was the president in 1999-2001.
1:15 PM - 2:30 PM Olym-Pick Restaurant
Hotel Partizan Restaurant
2:30 PM - 3:00 PM Engine Mount Systems for Electric Vehicles, High Performance Lightweight Materials
Andrej Kršjak
ContiTech Vibration Control, R&D Director
He graduated from the Technical University in Slovakia, focusing on physics and materials.
He worked as a material engineer for the development of high-temperature sensors for automotive in the Czech Republic.
He worked as a product engineer on the development of pneumatic actuators for turbochargers in the Czech Republic.
He created a development center in Slovakia developing silent blocks.
At present, he is Director of Development and Research at ContiTech Vibration Control, the Contitental concern in Germany.
Part 1:
While combustion engines principally produce low-frequency forces, electric drive systems tend to generate high-pitched sounds extending into the kHz range. As the blanketing combustion noises are not present during vehicle operation, high-frequency disturbances can subjectively be perceived as particularly unpleasant. This presentation will introduce and discuss the requirements of engine mount systems and components for vehicles with hybrid and electric drive systems.
Part 2:
To drive the electric vehicles for long distances the weight of the vehicles must be as low as possible. Lightweight solutions using glass fibers filled polyamide are one of the technologies that enables this.
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM How artificial intelligence can solve some of the challenges in Automotive
David Kadleček
Integration and Application Architects Manager, GTS AI/IoT Lab Leader, IBM
David earned a degree in artificial intelligence. Before joining IBM, he worked for start-ups in the Czech Republic and Silicon Valley. He has 20 years of experience in designing and implementing IT systems. He is an architect, developer and intrapreneur at IBM Czech Republic, currently leading innovative and agile teams developing AI and IoT based solutions in manufacturing, finance, and logistics. These solutions focus on turning latest university research into production ready systems.
Artificial Intelligence can help solving some of the challenging problems in Automotive. Some of the cases are introduced in this lecture:
- Improving precision of pneumatic wrenches
- Digital predictive model of complex motor components
- Non destructive welding Inspection
* program is subject to change
Conference is divided into two days. On the first day, there will be a conference and evening networking programme prepared for you. On the day two, we will continue with the conference program in two separate conference rooms.
- Specialists sharing their experience
- Inspiration from automotive industry experts
- New contacts and networking
- Evening raut
How will it run
Panel discussion will open the conference on Tuesday morning. Then we will follow up with lectures. Lunch will be served at 12:00 AM at the restaurant Olym-Pick. After the lunch break, we will continue with the next set of lectures. If you find it difficult to concentrate you may welcome regular coffee breaks for your refreshment. After the last lecture, you will have some time to rest. An evening raut will take place in the nearby restaurant APANI with the opportunity for informal networking. Second day, after breakfast, the conference will continue with interesting lectures and panel discussions. Lunch will be served at the restaurant Olym-Pick again.