Speck Design’s Post

Driving Towards an Electrifying Future! 🌆🚗 (Link To Article In The Comments) There are moments in the business landscape when you witness a monumental shift. Not just an incremental change but a tectonic movement that defines the future. I've recently experienced one such moment with General Motors. GM, a stalwart in automotive history, isn't just aiming to change how we drive, but more profoundly, how we consume energy. Their "zero, zero, zero" vision — zero crashes, zero emissions, and zero congestion — is emblematic of a deeper aspiration. It’s not just a slogan, but a compelling roadmap towards a sustainable future.⚡️ At Speck Design, our partnership with GM has given us a front-row seat to this evolution. We’ve delved deep into understanding the energy aspirations of the American consumer, witnessing a strong desire for energy solutions that resonate on both a functional and personal level. To see GM, an icon of automotive prowess, making such strategic moves is genuinely inspiring. Their journey underscores that our future's sustainability isn't the responsibility of just niche startups; even industry giants can pivot, innovate, and drive positive change.🌍 For those keen on delving deeper into this transformational journey, I've shared an article on our website that gives a more comprehensive view. I’ll link it in the comments below for easy access. For all the entrepreneurs, designers, and visionaries out there, let GM's evolution be a beacon. No matter the size or history of your organization, the future is yours to mold. Let's reimagine, innovate, and electrify! 🔋 Stay inspired and charged! ⚡️ #SustainableFuture #ZeroEmission #EnergyEvolution #DesignThinking #ConsumerInsights #AutomotiveInnovation #EcoFriendlyTech

𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 The Drive: Breaking away from the norm The result: Congested sameness The Automobile is a great historical illustration of the claim I propose here. I am a big fan of innovation. You can call me an enthusiast. But I am also aware of the implications. I aim to address the challenges even before they are apparent. Innovation starts with a need to do something. Either I see it is possible, or there is something wrong with the way it is. Henry Ford and other innovators of his time saw a way to make the car accessible to all. What we experience today is a problem that is a direct result of an innovative breakthrough. We all take the freedom that innovation has brought and end up burning away chunks of our lives in traffic jams, along with the planet we inhabit. But the urge to innovate is still a trait we all possess. Some of us have it in abundance and some grow out of it early on. Balance is reached either by failure or by the magic of forward thinking and design. In my practice, I continually play with the balance between what looks like the paradoxes of life. It takes time and is worth the effort. How?; Why?; What?; When? Questions and questioning are the tools we are all familiar with. I use them all the time.  #breakthough #traffic #innovation #solutions #challenges #questioning

After an incredible 24-year journey at GM, during which I have had the privilege to launch new initiatives, establish internal startups, scale & lead large organizations, I'm embarking on a new chapter in technology leadership, investment, and entrepreneurship. I am grateful for the learning opportunities and for taking part in the multidimensional transformation (Software, Digital, Autonomous, Electric Vehicle & Battery Technology) that the automotive industry and the mobility sector are going through. Working with an exceptional team that fosters creative thinking and innovation at scale has been inspiring. Taking part in the evolution of our vehicles into increasingly complex Software-Defined products has been particularly rewarding. Future vehicles will require increasingly larger processing power to support the growing sophistication of real-time software. With low-latency connectivity, future vehicles are poised to expand from embedded software to running software on the cloud and on edge devices. This convergence of the vehicle, cloud, and edge devices forms a new expanded vehicle platform. The inevitable shift toward cleaner modes of transportation is underway. Pressures from wildfires and extreme heat waves continue to drive governments to implement policies, regulations, and incentives, accelerating EV adoption rates. Recognizing the paramount role in EVs, the Battery Pack is a critical component. The rapidly evolving Battery Technology space determines key factors such as energy density, driving range, safety, cost, resale value, charging rate, and lifecycle. Ownership, investment, development, and implementation of cutting-edge battery technology, coupled with efficient and improved Battery Cell design and manufacturing processes, are essential to accelerate and emerge as a profound leader in the automotive industry. I'm excited for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Ready for the next adventure! #batterytechnology #electrification #TechLeadership #Entrepreneurship #Investment #Automotive #Innovation #Strategy     

𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐝: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - In October 1913, Henry Ford unveiled the assembly line, a revolutionary approach that transformed car manufacturing. - 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞, 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐮𝐱𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬. - Ford Motor Company’s innovation didn’t just enhance production; it reshaped America. By creating thousands of jobs and boosting the economy, it played a 𝐩𝐢𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬. - The impact of Ford’s assembly line extended far beyond automobiles. It set the stage for a broader shift towards industry automation, spreading efficiency principles across various sectors and transforming how products are made and consumed. - Discover how Ford’s pioneering approach ignited a movement in industry automation, laying the foundation for modern industrial practices and influencing the way we live and work today. How do you think automation will shape the future? Let us know in the comments below! #IndustryAutomation #FutureTech #assemblyline #CarManufacturing #Ford #manufacturing #ManufacturingEfficiency #rx100startups

Counterintuitive Answers🙃 Q: Why we need brakes for our cars? A: We can drive fast. 😊 The answer is counterintuitive and yet it is true. Imagine the car without brakes and with what speed you would want to drive? Q: What is the purpose of constraints in life? A: The constraints foster innovation or out-of-box-thinking. 😊😊

It’s somewhat ironic how the tables have turned in the automotive industry. From the 1990s to the 2010s, Western OEMs were compelled to form partnerships (joint ventures) with Chinese OEMs, most of which were state-owned enterprises. Now, these same Western companies are eagerly seeking new alliances with China’s burgeoning EV startups. Is it wishful thinking to hope they can curb the impending Chinese wave on their home turf? A prime example is Volkswagen’s collaboration with Xpeng, and we see similar scenarios with Stellantis partnering with Leapmotor, and BMW (Mini) joining forces with Great Wall Motor. The race is on to adapt and thrive in this rapidly changing landscape.

BrightDrop is now part of General Motors: BrightDrop was initially developed in GM’s Innovation Lab and has operated as a wholly-owned subsidiary for the last three years, and now it will become a part of GM. Since its launch in January 2021, BrightDrop has been working on commercial EVs, and this integration is expected to help provide fleet customers with an efficient single point of contact through GM Envolve. This structure has allowed BrightDrop to operate with the agility of a tech startup while benefiting from GM’s manufacturing expertise, allowing them to bring an electric delivery van to market in a relatively short time. BrightDrop has produced a product portfolio that assists customers like FedEx, Ryder, and DHL in decarbonizing their fleet operations. As BrightDrop has grown, it is now being integrated back into GM to enhance efficiency and leverage its startup spirit for further success with GM’s commercial customers. GM plans to continue scaling BrightDrop Zevo production, which is expected to resume in the spring of 2024. This will be supported by the launch of CAMI’s new battery-module plant based in Canada. The new battery-module line will have the capacity to fully support Zevo production at CAMI and supplement EV production at other GM plants. In the future structure, BrightDrop electric delivery vans (Zevo 600 and Zevo 400) will remain a part of GM Envolve’s commercial fleet offerings. GM is also integrating all commercial digital solutions, including BrightDrop Core, into GM’s software and services organization. The integration of BrightDrop into GM marks the beginning of a new chapter in building towards an EV future. #electricvehicles #emobility #electrification

MOVE connects the entire mobility ecosystem, focused on tech, business models and sustainable futures. Bringing together the leaders and visionaries from across the mobility value chain, MOVE provides an unparalleled opportunity to learn, innovate, partner and do business. Hear from senior executives from IONITY, Stellantis Ford Motor Company Baidu USA Scania Group Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited Mercedes pay GmbH Sainsbury's JPMorgan Chase & Co. Octopus Energy and more... #electricvehicles #mobility #evcharging #smartcities #evbatteries #sustainabletransport #electriccars #electrification #charginginfrastructure #autonomousvehicles #microgrids #fleets Think you should be on this list? Apply to speak here: https://lnkd.in/efmngW4t

The #ev evolution is a new frontier and everyone is navigating the transition toward #electrification. Please see the learning opportunity for BrightDrop's #retailer, #ecommerce, and #supplychain community to learn from an expert Alisyn Malek #evs #E2E #sustainability #supplychain #ecommerce #EVerybodyIN #electricvehicles #lastmiledelivery #middlemile #finalmile

🚗 Driving Success: The Volkswagen Journey Unveiled! 🌐 Embark on a journey through time as we explore the remarkable success story of Volkswagen, a brand that has left an indelible mark on the automotive landscape. 🌍🏎️ 🔍 1934 - Birth of the "Käfer": The roots of Volkswagen trace back to 1934 with the inception of the "Käfer" (Beetle). Developed as a Nazi prestige project, the formal establishment of "Gesellschaft zur Vorbereitung des Deutschen Volkswagens mbH" in 1937 marked the beginning of a legacy. Despite wartime challenges, the company built its main plant in Wolfsburg, focusing on military vehicles and armaments. 🌈 Post-War Renaissance: In 1945, post-war reconstruction led to a directive from the British to produce the Volkswagen saloon. The introduction of the iconic Type 1 (Käfer) model and the Type 2 (Transporter) in 1950 propelled Volkswagen into the spotlight, symbolizing Germany's economic revival. The company's conversion into a joint-stock corporation in 1960 paved the way for international success. 🌟 Innovation and Growth: The 1970s witnessed Volkswagen's innovation prowess with the introduction of flexible manufacturing systems. This era gave birth to a new generation of iconic models, including the Passat, Scirocco, Golf, and Polo. The 1980s brought technological advancements, flexible production methods, and global cooperation, fueling Volkswagen's exponential growth. 🌐 Globalization and Future Solutions: As Volkswagen continues its global expansion, it stands as one of the world's most successful volume car manufacturers. Today, the brand leads the way in addressing future challenges such as e-mobility and digitalization, offering cutting-edge solutions that redefine the automotive landscape. 🔗 Hashtags for the Journey: #VolkswagenSuccess #AutomotiveInnovation #LegacyBrand #FutureMobility #DigitalTransformation #GlobalSuccess #InnovationLeadership #CarManufacturing #VWJourney #EconomicRevival #AutoIndustry 🌟 Join the Volkswagen Movement: Share your thoughts below and celebrate the legacy of a brand that has driven innovation and success for generations! 🚀🔗 #VWLegacy #DrivingInnovation #AutomotiveExcellence #SuccessStory #VolkswagenInnovation #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #TechTrends #Startups #MarketingStrategy #DigitalMarketing #SalesTips #Management #HumanResources #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #RemoteWork #Productivity #Finance #Economics #DiversityandInclusion #PersonalBranding #ExecutiveLeadership #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #JobSeekers #InterviewTips #WomenInBusiness #LeadershipDevelopment #SmallBusiness #GlobalBusiness #B2B #CorporateSocialResponsibility #SupplyChain  #DataAnalytics #Cybersecurity #SocialMediaMarketing #CustomerExperience #ProfessionalNetworking #SalesLeadership #CorporateCulture #Sustainability #LegalIndustry #HealthcareLeadership #EducationLeadership #RenewableEnergy