IAA MOBILITY Visionary Club

In the first live episode of the Visionary Club Podcast at IAA MOBILITY, our host Sarah Harman welcomes Sören Holz, VP Strategy, Business Development, Customer Care at BMW. Sören Holz offers fascinating insights into the transformation from a traditional aftersales business to a holistic approach to customer support and care. He explains why the customer journey extends far beyond the purchase itself and how BMW is redefining the ownership experience with Proactive Care. The focus is on predictive maintenance, digital services via the MyBMW app, remote diagnostics, and personalized communication designed to build trust and peace of mind.

We discuss BMW’s “Relax, we care” service philosophy, the use of AI in customer interactions, and the expansion of Proactive Care to the MINI brand. Sören Holz also explains why customer loyalty is a crucial competitive advantage and how BMW is modernizing its dealer networks and service processes to exceed customer expectations worldwide.

In the fourteenth episode of the Visionary Club Podcast, our host Sarah Harman welcomes a very special guest: Simon Schütz, Head of Communications, Events, and Marketing at the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). Schütz shares exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, discusses the role of political signals, the importance of international exhibitors, and the growing significance of technology partnerships.He explains why the new trade fair concept combining the Summit and Open Space has proven so successful, why experiencing mobility firsthand is so important for reaching broad audiences — and what moved him most on a personal level.

In the thirteenth episode of the IAA MOBILITY VISIONARY CLUB, host Sarah Harman welcomes Markus Papke, Chief Innovation Officer at Riese & Müller.

With a visionary outlook, Papke paints a picture of an urban future where e-bikes are not just a means of transportation, but the centerpiece of sustainable, livable cities. He discusses the “Smart Shift” toward cleaner, more connected, and safer mobility, shares inspiring examples from major cities around the world, and explains why e-bikes are a true lifestyle choice—one that has the power to fundamentally change our daily lives and the way we move.

Discover how innovative technologies—from AI-powered maintenance to V2X communication—are transforming comfort and safety, the role of circular economy principles and sustainable design, and why bold infrastructure decisions made today can be the game-changer for the mobility of tomorrow.

In the twelfth episode of the IAA MOBILITY VISIONARY CLUB, our host Sarah Harman sits down with Peter Bosch, CEO of Cariad – the Volkswagen Group's automotive software company.

With remarkable clarity, Bosch discusses the radical transformation of the automotive industry, Cariad’s strategic realignment, and the company’s journey from crisis mode to tech leadership. He shares his personal motivation for driving deep organizational change, explains why software has become the beating heart of modern vehicles, and how the Group has managed to engineer a true turnaround.

Discover why in-house development has become a key strategic priority, how partnerships with Rivian, Horizon Robotics, and XPeng are unlocking new paths to innovation – and why China, of all places, is emerging as a training ground for European tech players.

In episode eleven, our host Sarah Harman welcomes Christian Reitmeyer, CEO and owner of redi-Group GmbH.

In a candid and compelling conversation, Reitmeyer opens up about navigating crises, how failure became a turning point, and why resilience has become the most essential leadership trait of our time. He shares his personal journey — from near-collapse to a successful restructuring of his company — and explains why radical transparency, trust, and decentralized responsibility are the true drivers of long-term success.

Discover how a crisis can spark innovation, what modern leadership looks like in today’s global automotive industry, and why a sincere “no” can be the starting point of a real partnership.

In the 10th episode, our host Sarah Harman welcomes Dr. Karen Langona, Partner Sales Global Director, Automotive and Manufacturing at Amazon Web Services (AWS).With an impressive background in both academia and industry, Karen brings extensive experience from her time as a professor specializing in computer science and research in high-speed networks and edge computing at the USP - Universidade de São Paulo and the University of Michigan. In the corporate world, Karen has driven big data and edge computing initiatives at Ericsson and advanced connected and autonomous vehicle technologies at Ford Motor Company, contributing significantly to commercial and electric vehicle growth.

Together, they explore the rapid advancements in autonomous driving — from the role of software-defined vehicles and digital twins to the growing importance of cloud architectures. Dr. Langona shares how cutting-edge development processes are being accelerated by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and generative AI — and discusses the challenges and opportunities across the entire automotive value chain. One highlight: her insights into real-world use cases, her vision for collaboration within AWS’s partner ecosystem, and her outlook on the road to Level 4 and Level 5 autonomy.

In the 9th episode of the IAA MOBILITY Visionary Club Podcast, Sarah Harman welcomes Vojtech Vosecky, a leading voice in the circular economy. Vojtech's expertise, honed through co-founding the Institute of Circular Economy and advising numerous organizations, mayors, and CEOs, makes him a key figure in the discussion around sustainable practices.  

Together, they explore what it means to be a circular economist and delve into the importance of transitioning from a linear to a circular economy within the mobility sector.  

Vosecky discusses the four key strategies to create a circular economy: rethink, reduce, recover, and recycle.  

This episode offers exciting insights and an exclusive look at how circular economy principles can reshape the future of mobility.

In the eighth episode of the Visionary Club Podcast, Sarah Harman welcomes Thomas Drewes, Head of Autonomous Driving at DB Regio AG. Together, they explore the future of autonomous driving in public transportation and the opportunities that automated mobility solutions create for both urban and rural areas.

Thomas Drewes explains why autonomous driving is a game-changer for public transit, particularly in light of the growing driver shortage and rising operational costs. He shares insights into the KIRA project, where DB Regio is testing Level 4 technology to seamlessly integrate autonomous vehicles into local transportation networks. They also discuss the role of artificial intelligence, sensor technology, and policy frameworks in paving the way for scalable and sustainable mobility.

How can autonomous driving improve connectivity in rural areas? When could driverless buses become a reality? And what steps does the government need to take to position Germany as a leader in this field? This episode offers exciting answers and an exclusive look at the future of mobility.

In the seventh episode of the Visionary Club Podcast, Sarah Harman welcomes Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz AG. Together, they explore the future of automotive software and how Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) is ushering in a new era of software-defined vehicles.

Magnus explains why software in the automotive industry is no longer just about infotainment—it’s transforming the entire driving experience. From hyper-personalized interfaces and advanced AI integration to seamless over-the-air (OTA) updates, MB.OS is redefining what a vehicle can do. He also shares exclusive insights into the role of generative AI, the introduction of ChatGPT in Mercedes vehicles, and the vision for fully connected mobility that extends beyond the car itself.

We also discuss how partnerships with Google, Sony,are shaping the digital future of Mercedes-Benz, and why the company isn’t just building a “smartphone on wheels,” but rather a luxurious, secure, and intelligent digital driving environment.

In the sixth episode of the Visionary Club Podcast, Sarah Harman welcomes Albert Waas, Managing Director & Partner at BCG and Head of the Automotive & Mobility sector in Europe, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. Albert shares valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing the European automotive industry during this transformative period.

We discuss stagnating EV sales, rising costs for automakers, and the impact of global geopolitical developments on the sector. Albert explains how production flexibility and striking the right balance between innovation and cost reduction are key to staying competitive. A particular focus is placed on battery production, sustainable mobility goals, and the need for closer collaboration between industry and policymakers.