Automotive News Europe Congress: Focus on the future

An industry embracing electrification and experimenting with mobility services in an era of stricter emissions rules and profound questions about the future of car ownership provided plenty of discussion points at the Automotive News Europe Congress. The 22nd annual event was held last week in Gothenburg, Sweden, home of Volvo.

Toyota Motor Europe's Matt Harrison said "there is no perfect technology" to meet European Union mandates intended to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Opel CEO Michael Lohscheller said his company's transformation is being driven by benchmarking — against rivals and within new owner PSA Group.

Francisco Carranza is managing director of Renault-Nissan Energy Services.

Automotive News Europe Editor Luca Ciferri interviews Philippe Houchois of Jefferies International.

Volvo's Marten Levenstam on designing cities of the future: "We waste a lot of space with cars standing still ... and that should be a top priority."

Among the questions posed by John Simlett, global future of mobility leader at EY, lead sponsor of the congress: Can a free service be a viable business model?

Jochen Sengpiehl is leading a redefinition of the Volkswagen brand identity amid an embrace of electrification. He called it "the biggest transformation of our company."

Seat's Lucas Casasnovas said his company is rolling out a micromobility strategy to counteract the possible end of the car industry's traditional business model.