Technologies such as automated driving, electromobility and connected vehicles have the potential to transform transport to become quieter, cleaner and safer. These technologies are also making new collaborative and agile business models both beneficial and necessary.
To support this development, top executives from some of the Volvo Group’s most influential global suppliers, as well as emerging, innovative partners gathered for a two-day summit in Gothenburg focused on innovation.
“On this journey of electromobility, connectivity and automation that Volvo Group is embarking on, the future is about close collaboration and co-creation with partners and essential to stay competitive,” says Andrea Fuder, Chief Purchasing Officer at Volvo Group.
The importance of outside partnerships to innovation was echoed by Martin Lundstedt, CEO and President of Volvo Group, who communicated the need to rethink traditional business structures and concepts for a new age. “We are moving from a ‘supplier-ship’ business model to one of partnerships. Our customers expect us to find joint solutions that are world-class. This calls for relationships with our partners that build on open dialogue, transparency and agile ways of working.”
He underlined that traditional transactional business relationships need to give way to open, transparent collaboration. “Transparency is a key – we need to have an open dialogue where we listen to each other,” said Martin Lundstedt.
