Miguel Carsi, from Toyota Europe, discusses the future of the automotive industry in the face of the energy transition and global competition at Comillas

With the aim of analysing these challenges and gaining insight into the perspective of one of the key players in this field, the Comillas ICAI Chair in Smart Industry, in collaboration with the ICADE Business Club, hosted a new edition of ‘Breakfasts with CEOs’, a forum bringing together students, researchers and professionals to share the experience of business leaders with the academic community.

On this occasion, the guest speaker was Miguel Carsi, Head of H2 Cluster Business Development and Value Chain at Toyota Europe, who provided a comprehensive overview of the challenges currently facing the automotive industry in Europe and the opportunities arising against a backdrop of profound technological, regulatory and geopolitical transformation.

The session was opened by the Rector of Comillas Pontifical University, Antonio Allende, SJ. Miguel Temboury, Vice-President of the ICADE Business Club, then introduced the speaker, before handing over to Álvaro López López, Director of the Research Laboratory of the Chair in Smart Industry, who set out the context for the event and moderated the conference.

During his address, Miguel Carsi explained that the automotive sector is at a decisive juncture, driven by technological developments, new environmental requirements and changing consumer expectations.

One of the central themes of the conference was the impact of European regulation on sustainability and emissions reduction. Whilst emphasising the need to move towards low-carbon mobility, Carsi argued that the energy transition must be approached from a perspective open to different technological solutions.

The presentation also addressed the growing prominence of Chinese manufacturers in the international market. As he explained, China has managed to consolidate a leading position thanks to its control over strategic raw materials, a high level of automation in its industrial processes and a remarkable production capacity. This new reality is forcing the European industry to strengthen its capacity for innovation, improve its competitiveness and speed up strategic decision-making in order to maintain its position in the global market.

In conclusion, Miguel Carsi emphasised that the future of the European automotive industry will depend on its ability to combine technological innovation, sustainability and industrial competitiveness. In an increasingly complex and dynamic environment, he argued for the need to promote a strategy that integrates different energy solutions, fosters collaboration between companies, institutions and research centres, and helps to strengthen the sector’s entire value chain.

The event concluded with a lively discussion during which attendees had the opportunity to raise questions about the future of mobility, the evolution of propulsion technologies, the role of hydrogen and the challenges facing the automotive industry in the coming years. This dialogue reinforced the aim of the “Breakfasts with CEOs” as a forum for reflection and connection between the university and the business world.