Last week (10 October) saw Scandinavian components body, FKG’s Annual Suppliers Forum in Gothenburg, attended by 450 delegates. Grouped here is a snapshot of the day.
“A lot of positive butterflies [are] in our stomach – we have to dare to step into the unknown” – FKG CEO Fredrik Sidahl.
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“The Chinese electricity grid is the seventh largest company in the world and they have been given a clear directive by the Chinese government to create infrastructure for electric cars – NEVS vice president purchasing, Per Svantesson.
“From Volvo’s point of view, we wish them all luck. It is important we have Volvo, Saab, it is important for know-how for a good supplier base” – Volvo spokesman in Gothenburg.
“Unfortunately it was necessary to let Saab go,” Swedish Enterprise State Secretary, Hakan Ekengren.
“We have discussed this automotive council like the one in the UK. They [government] have looked at it and have said it is a good idea, but it is hard to take the next step” – FKG chairman, Per-Ewe Wendel.
“We have dialogue with the government of Sweden concerning the future of Saab Parts” – NEVS spokesman in Trollhattan.
“There is around GBP3bn [US$4.9bn) of opportunity in the next four to five years” – UK Trade & Investment technology specialist John Kell.
“We will have an expansion phase where we are going to make more radical facelifts on the great old lady, the 9-3” – NEVS vice president purchasing Per Svantesson.
“Why we are getting territory back in China is we finally got an organisation in place that can deliver” – Volvo spokesman.
“There are very difficult rules of the game – it is a free market” – Hakan Ekengren.
“There will be teething problems” – NEVS vice president purchasing Per Svantesson.
“In Sweden, we take it for granted, clean air. But high emissions and pollution are a reality in many Chinese cities. Clean air is more important than the colour of a car” – CEVT CEO Mats Fagerhag.
“So come and get to know us” – NEVS vice president purchasing Per Svantesson.
