24 “No electric mobility without steel” Interview with Industrial engineer Peter Schiestel, Marketing, Saarstahl AG The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), recently spoke of the European car market regaining momentum and about the growing number of new passenger car registrations. Has this growth reached the steel industry yet? Schiestel: We have happily registered this development and are cautiously optimistic. But the figures behind this trend must be viewed in a differentiated light: in 2019, there were still 13 million new car registrations in the European Union, compared to nine million in 2022. We are observing an upswing at the moment, but we are still a long way from the original numbers. In addition: steel customers are uncertain whether this upswing will continue. They have the Russia-Ukraine war in mind as well as the current inflation, which is leading to subdued consumer spending. How would you assess the electric car market segment? Is it a curse or a blessing for steel manufacturers? Schiestel: There can be no electric mobility without steel. Long steel is still needed for this, even if a number of components – particularly in the engine and transmission areas – are eliminated in the electric car. On the other hand, the high weight of the drive battery generates additional loads, and economical lightweight solutions are needed here. Steel remains the most successful lightweight construction material in the automotive industry. In addition, we are strong partners in the market with our premium products and, as a sales force, we can confront the challenges of e-mobility without hesitation. We are nonetheless also keeping an eye on the development of our non-automotive segments. Steel produced using green methods is becoming increasingly important for the automotive and mobility sectors so that Industrial engineer Peter Schiestel has worked in Marketing at Saarstahl AG since 2011 and has been responsible for the Marketing department since 2022. Saarstahl is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of premium wire rod and bar steel for the automotive and construction industries as well as for general mechanical engineering. The automotive industry is Saarstahl ’s main sales sector, accounting for around two-thirds of total sales. Saarstahl is part of SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar, alongside Dillinger, a leading global manufacturer of heavy steel plate for steel construction, mechanical engineering, offshore, offshore wind power, and line pipe applications. For more information: www.saarstahl.de Image: © Dirk Martin/SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar Image: © SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar
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