Former VW designer Klaus Zyciora conquers the Chinese market!

Former VW designer Klaus Zyciora conquers the Chinese market!

Klaus Zyciora, the former chief designer of Volkswagen, has moved in completely different realms in the past few years and a half. Born in the German, the Vice President for Global Design is now active at the Chinese car brand Changan, who is headquartered in Chongqing. With 32 million inhabitants, Chongqing is a metropolis that is a lot bigger than Wolfsburg, the home of VW. "It is important to adapt to culture and working methods here," emphasizes Zyciora in an interview. This should not only promote professional coexistence, but also expand your own understanding of work processes.

Zyciora usually works 70 hours a week in his new role - this is not unusual in China. The necessary discipline, diligence and the efficiency of the Chinese colleagues impressed him. He also perceived the structuring of the board meetings, which are heavily data -based. In comparison, decision making in Germany feels more like in a traditional corporate environment.

for Changan a win

Management of Changan is certain that Zyciora with its impressive horizon of experience -is a valuable enrichment for the company over 30 years in automotive design and management, including the management of the design for twelve brands at Volkswagen. On October 7, 2023, he was officially appointed into his role in global design. In this function, he takes on a key position to further develop the brand and to emphasize the design as a decisive factor for the success of Changan. The company has massive ambitions, and it is not for nothing that over 17,000 engineers from more than 30 countries work for Changan.

A look at the global automotive market shows that Changan has been maintaining various international research and development locations for years, including institutions in Italy, Japan, Great Britain, the USA and Germany. Zyciora sees the opportunity to implement his ideas in such a dynamic environment and make a contribution that goes beyond the borders of China.

an appeal to the German industry

Zyciora also makes it clear that he is critical of the German automotive industry. "The slow and bureaucratic structures in Germany could bring us into trouble in global competition," he warns. He demands that the industry have to "slim down" to remain competitive. In his eyes, the current developments in Germany are like a “museum” compared to the digital advances that shape the agenda in China. This applies particularly against the background of the increasing competition by Chinese automobile manufacturers and suppliers who also want to conquer the German market.

The importance of the automotive sector for Germany is undisputed. At a PWC webcast on the subject of competitiveness of German manufacturers in the Chinese market, experts discussed opportunities and risks that arise from the aggressive expansion of Chinese manufacturers. The relevance remains high and the opportunities for cooperation between German and Chinese manufacturers are promising. A recording of the webcast is available on the PWC website.

LISA K., who reports on these developments in the automotive sector, states: "The automotive industry is a field in which the paths of tradition and innovation cross. Klaus Zyciora shows how important it is that Germany will break out of the previously set paths in order to remain relevant in the future."

For Zyciora, the new job at Changan is the perfect "pressure refueling" to live out its creativity, while at the same time promoting cultural exchange between Germany and China. It remains exciting how his work will affect the global designs of the automotive industry.

news38.de href = "https://autonews.gasgoo.com/china_news/70028661.html"> Autonews.gasgoo.com documents his commitment to Changan. Lastly explained pwc.de The challenges of the German automotive industry in the face of global competition.