Volkswagen Group CEO Herbert Diess mentioned cash-rich expertise giants invading the auto trade pose a a lot greater problem for the automaker than conventional rivals corresponding to Toyota.
“We sit up for new opponents who will definitely speed up the change in our trade and usher in new abilities,” Diess mentioned in a LinkedIn publish when requested about reviews that Apple is developing a self-driving car.
“The unbelievable valuation and the virtually limitless entry to assets instill plenty of respect in us,” Diess mentioned.
Diess, 62, obtained a fresh vote of confidence from the VW supervisory board this month to make the sprawling industrial conglomerate extra nimble after inner wrangling had spooked traders.
VW faces a crucial yr in 2021 to escalate its electric-car push with new fashions such because the ID4 compact crossover and a more spacious version of the Porsche Taycan.
Diess mapped out a plan throughout an inner assembly final week to pit VW’s huge Wolfsburg plant against Tesla’s factory that’s below development outdoors Berlin.
Tesla’s new website in Gruenheide is certain to stoke competitors for engineers, staff and prospects on VW’s house turf.
“I’ve mentioned it earlier than: probably the most priceless firm on the earth will once more be a mobility firm,” Diess mentioned. “It could possibly be Tesla, Apple or Volkswagen.”