What challenges were and are you faced with, and how have
you overcome them?
The path towards being climate neutral is one of the greatest
challenges of our time. Reducing CO2 emissions must also be
our primary goal in the mobility sector. At AVL, we are pushing
forward the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.
We are putting all our efforts into the research and develop-
ment of sustainable technologies and, including ADAS, already
generate 60% of our revenue in this sector. This also shows
that climate protection and economic growth can go hand in
hand.
Looking back at AVL’s 75-year history, what are the most
important milestones that are particularly close to your heart
and why?
We combined simulation, testing, and validation relatively early
on. Over the decades, this has resulted in major innovations
that have led to a large number of patents, of which more than
2,000 are still in active use today. In the 1980s and 1990s, we
deliberately focused on business growth – especially in Ger-
many, but also in the USA and China. We have placed research
at the center of our strategy and invested in R&D even in chal-
lenging times. We have also applied our expertise to the field
of medical technology. Furthermore, we expanded our global
presence early on, to be as close as possible to our customers,
and we now have 90 locations in 26 countries. Furthermore,
we were also one of the first companies to fully embrace new
technologies. I am proud of all of these milestones.
How has AVL developed over the years?
AVL’s great strength has always been being very well prepared
for the future. It is important to always be one step ahead. For
example, we already developed an e-drive 20 years ago. We
are one of the most renowned companies in the world when
it comes to battery development. We are heading in a new
direction with our high-temperature electrolysis facility, which
achieves an efficiency of over 80 percent in the production of
hydrogen using electricity. And we are just as innovative when
it comes to integrating the energy source into hybrid cars and
fuel cell technology, for example. Software-defined vehicles
and automated driving are also part of our main focus areas.
This is how we shape the transition towards climate neutral
mobility, both at our location in Graz and globally.
What role does innovation play in AVL’s success, and how
has the company fostered a culture of innovation throughout
its history?
Together, we live a culture of openness. We listen and take
the advice of our experts seriously. We create free spaces for
exploiting full creative potential. We are not afraid of setbacks;
we always try to learn from mistakes. This is how innovation
is born.
How has AVL adapted to the rapidly changing automotive
industry and the emerging technologies to remain at the
forefront of mobility solutions?
We consistently invest in research and development to meet
the complexity of today’s mobility. In doing so, we remain
75 YEARS AND BEYOND
Photo: FOLTIN Jindrich / WirtschaftsBlatt / picturedesk.com
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