autoregion international - 02/2022

26 of the gross personnel costs for research and development are funded. Land subsidies are an alternative for large companies as well. Another option for all company sizes is the tax research allowance (https://t1p. de/g2bnw ). This subsidises personnel costs by 25 percent in the form of a tax refund. The special feature here: Projects can also be funded retrospectively until January 2020. Especially for the automotive industry, the economic stimulus package (https:// t1p.de/0ugjk ) offers opportunities for companies of all sizes to invest in the future. In addition to R&D funding, grants for investments are also available here. Consulting as relief Public funding programmes are numerous in addition to those mentioned above but are often very bureaucratic and can only be accessed with some hurdles. Internally, they lack the expertise and resources to apply for them. This can be remedied by consulting firms that provide support in the selection process as well as in the application process. At the same time, this increases the chances of success and companies are able to continue their business activities. In addition to the selection of suitable funding programmes, innovation workshops with experts offer the opportunity to catalyse ideas and develop a future-proof technology roadmap within the framework of one’s own corporate strategy. In this way, companies Summary Mit Innovationen die Transformation der Automobilindustrie vorantreiben Die Automobilbranche steht mitten im Umbruch. Gepaart mit den aktuellen Unsicherheiten bezüglich der Energieversorgung, der Preisspirale und den Lieferschwierigkeiten steht die Schlüsselindustrie unseres Landes vor großen Herausforderungen. Megatrends wie autonomes Fahren, Digitalisierung, neue Mobilitätsangebote und die Reduzierung von CO2-Emissionen bieten gleichzeitig den Raum und Chancen für die notwendigen Veränderungen, Innovationen und Wachstum. Wie kann es also gelingen … Weiterlesen https://t1p.de/xto6q Hidden champions keep the innovation engine running The example of the Ford plant in Saarlouis shows it clearly: in the end, a large US corporation decided the fate of many individuals and an entire federal state. Yet as a federal state in the border triangle, with a long history in the automotive industry, many small and medium-sized hidden champions and an up-and-coming and innovative start-up scene, we have the best prerequisites to cushion this blow. With our own innovations, we keep our skilled workers in our own country and thus have the opportunity to make the economy of the entire country competitive again. How innovations can be made possible An innovation strategy anchored in the company is thus the foundation of future success and the basis for new business fields. The company’s own position in the market can be expanded – and if necessary even restructure the market. From contract manufacturer to own product: With their own innovative solutions, companies make the leap from project business to more independence and thus increase turnover and margins, expand the sales market and competitiveness. Research and development projects are at the same time bound up with a considerable cost factor for companies. Innovation support programmes of the federal government and the state provide a remedy. The costs of the projects are subsidised so that employees can continue to work for the company and new employees can be hired. Examples of funding programmes For example, the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM, https://t1p.de/ ksmds ) will be continued from summer 2022. In simplified terms, 50 to 120 percent Driving the transformation of the automotive industry with innovations By Dr. Jörg Rupp, Managing Director of DORUCON – DR. RUPP CONSULTING GmbH The automotive industry is in the midst of upheaval. Coupled with the current uncertainties regarding energy supply, the price spiral and supply difficulties, our country’s key industry is facing major challenges. Megatrends such as autonomous driving, digitalisation, new mobility offers and the reduction of CO2 emissions simultaneously provide the space and opportunities for the necessary changes, innovations and growth. So how can we succeed in sustainably changing the automotive industry? Image: © rawpixel.com/freepik.com DORUCON – DR. RUPP CONSULTING GmbH www.dorucon.de Share are able to anchor a future-proof innovation strategy among their own employees and help shape the transformation of the entire industry. Quality standards such as ISO 9001 certification or authorisation by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWK) in the go-inno (https://t1p.de/d25s2 ) programme help with orientation and selection of the consultant.

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