IO+ week: 2025 is make or break for EU auto industry
Our weekly overview offers an overview of the most interesting stories around key innovations every Sunday.
Published on February 9, 2025
.png&w=3840&q=75){kind=small}
As editor-in-chief, Aafke oversees all content and events but loves writing herself. She makes complex topics accessible and tells the stories behind technology.
The European auto industry, which accounts for 13 million jobs and produces as many cars annually, is one of the pillars of the European economy. However, the sector is under pressure. Chinese automakers are gaining ground with affordable electric vehicles.
2025 could be a crucial year for the transition to electric mobility in Europe. Current challenges and prospects took center stage at an Electric Mobility Association AVERE panel session. Colleague Mauro attended the panel discussion and, early this week, traveled to the Autoworld Museum in Brussels, a place that breathes the history of the European automotive industry. You can read his report here.
Tough times for tech CEOs
Elcke wrote about the record number of CEOs fired worldwide in 2024, a notable increase from previous years. 202 CEOs were forced to relinquish their positions. There was a wave of layoffs, especially in the technology sector. In the Netherlands, CEOs are also experiencing pressure from activist shareholders. Jan Timmer, former top executive of Philips, already warned about the growing influence of shareholders in 2018.
A striking Dutch example is the story of Peter Bijvelds at electric bus maker Ebusco. As founder, he grew the company from a startup in 2012 to a listed company with a valuation of €1.4 billion by 2021. Under his leadership, Ebusco quickly became the “Dutch Tesla” for city and regional buses. Yet Bijvelds had to make way in September 2024. His departure shows how even the most successful founders are under pressure to keep performing in a dynamic market.
Well, activist shareholders can also achieve a lot. Look at the activist shareholder group Follow This at Shell. They urge the company to align its activities with the Paris climate agreement.
Meanwhile, there was plenty of other news:
- Mistral AI takes on ChatGPT with lightning-fast 'le Chat'
- AI usage soars in European companies
- Must read of the week: The Library as gatekeeper of online public space
- Recycling textile waste: Dutch researchers take a big step forward
- European AI Act comes into force in the divided tech world
- Brain-on-a-chip models open new possibilities in fight against brain diseases
- Investment of the month: Scenexus: the startup seeking to improve urban planning worldwide radically
- January in four investments: holographic chips, a digital twin for cities, and smart sensor technology
- The EU's shift to renewable electricity progressed rapidly in 2024
By the way, you can find us on Bluesky and Mastodon these days. Have a great week!
Aafke Eppinga - editor-in-chief IO+