Olaf Hartwig

Master Industrial Engineering & Business Administration
(Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieur)

Chief Transformation Officer – Carve Out, Value Creation, Digital Roadmap

CEO / COO in multisite Automotive & Machinery Industries in Germany, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Hungary and Brazil | Manufacturing R&D Purchasing Quality | Industry 4.0 and Sustainability | Coach & People Manager | Supply Chain Ecosystem | Lean Manufacturing | Lighthouse End-to-End Operating System IWS | Operations / IT Strategy | H2 Green Energy | Greenfield | Factory Layout | Automation & Robotics | Digital Transformation | ERP | MES | Change Management | Circularity | AI

Arthur D. Little | Wiesbaden | Senior Consultant
Roland Berger Strategy Consultants | Stuttgart | Project Manager

HP Pelzer Group | Witten | PE-backed Automotive Head Corporate Development

Autoneum Borgers SE & Co. KGaA | Bocholt, Germany | www.borgers-group.com
Global Automotive Supplier | 700 Mio. € Sales | 7.000 Employees
Head Global Program Management
▪ Execution of Stage Gate Reviews, inkl. Risk Management, Escalation, Action Plan
▪ Transformation, Training and Lead of Central PMO teams and systems (Plato, Sciforma,
APQP and PPAP) | Lead of PM organisations in GER, ASIA, US, UK and Czech Republic
Responsibilities: Project Volume up to 120 Mio. € | 30 Employees, thereof 28 managers | 20
Direct reports
Achievements:
▪ Increased margins at SOP | Launch cost reduction -80%
▪ Global team integration +50% Program Managers
▪ 100% Program Risks Controlled
Autoneum AG | Winterthur, Suisse | www.autoneum.com
Global Automotive Supplier | 2,3 bn CHF Sales | 13.000 Employees


CEO Turkey Plant Manager | Bursa, Turkey | 01/2011 – 12/2013
▪ Leading the Management Committee, Reporting to the Board of the JV (51/49)
▪ Project manager for Russia: Acquisition New Business, Site selection, Layout, Planning and
Steering in cooperation with the Autoneum Group CEO
Responsibilities: Sales 25 Mio. € | 130 Employees, thereof 8 managers
Achievements:
▪ Topline growth +60% | EBIT growth +121% | Employees +8% within 3 years
▪ Efficiency gains >40% | Production plant transfer completed in <60 days


Chief Restructuring Officer | Winterthur, Switzerland | 03/2009 – 12/2010


CEO Korea Plant Manager | Seoul, South Korea | 05/2007 – 02/2009

STS Group AG | Hallbergmoos, Germany| www.sts.group
PE-backed Global Automotive Supplier | 400 Mio. € Sales | 2.700 Employees
CEO Italy VP Business Unit Acoustics | Chief Operations Officer | 09/2017 – 11/2019
▪ 5 Production Plants in Italy, Poland (Greenfield) and Brazil. HQ and Engineering Center
▪ Expansion of World Class Manufacturing methods, Pull Flow and VAVE
▪ Transformation, Value Creation, R&D, including change management, restructuring
Responsibilities: Sales 130 Mio. € | Project volume 15 Mio. € | 11 executives in Italy,
Poland and Brazil incl. Engineering, Purchasing, R&D | 800 Employees | Interdisciplinary


Achievements:
 Reduction of operating costs by 6% p.a. through continuous process improvements
 EBITDA improvement in the Greenfield from index level -100 to -25
 Successful integration of Brazil and R & D into the Business Unit structure


Global Head Lean Manufacturing & Program Management | 02/2017 – 08/2017
▪ Carve Out Large Corporates. PMI of 13 plants worldwide

Robert Bürkle | Freudenstadt| www.burkle.tech
PE-backed Global Surface Technology and Machinery | 120 Mio. € Sales | 500 Employees
CEO Hungary Managing Director | Chief Operations Officer
▪ Management of 4 Production Plants in Germany, Hungary, China with full P&L
responsibility as well as Purchasing/Supply Chain and Quality Management functions
▪ Transformation Greenfield Plant Layout, Footprint, Industrialization, Building Up
Management Structures and Competences, Restructuring Germany, Carve Out
▪ Expansion of World Class Manufacturing, Lean Manufacturing, Digitalization, Change
▪ Supplier Build and Expansion in Eastern Europe, Global Supply Chains
Responsibility: Fulfillment of 200.000 hours p.a. | 11 Reports | 250 Employees | Professional
& disciplinary leadership of Plant Managers, Industrial Engineering, Quality Management,
Purchasing and Supply Chain | Managing Director in Germany and Hungary


Achievements:
▪ Fulfillment Eastern Europe Greenfield +100% within one year
▪ Improvement of EBITDA Group +40% within one year

Senior Partner | JTF Join the Future Consulting | Munich
NEOM | Oxagon, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Red Sea Coast | www.neom.com
Greenfield Industry Cluster | 21 Mio. sqm
Advanced and Clean Manufacturing (A&CM)
▪ Integration of Industry 4.0 and Sustainability into a new Manufacturing System
▪ Evaluation and Ramp-up of Expert Services in Oxagon, Index Development, Customizing
▪ Transformation in the Field – Concept, Planning and Execution of Assessments and
Roadmaps for SMEs and PE-backed Corporates in Saudi Arabia, Europe, China
▪ WEF accredited Lighthouse Operating System, incl. Data and Accelerated Digital
▪ Training and Certification of organizations
Responsibility: Senior Advisory, Transformation Leadership, Multi Program Management
Results on selected projects:
▪ Focus on Throughput in value stream bottlenecks | OEE improvement +30%
▪ Productivity improvement +13 to +30%
▪ Inventory reduction -40%

10/1992 – 09/1997: Master in Industrial Engineering and Business Administration | KIT University Karlsruhe
Mains: Corporate Planning, Industrial Production, Manufacturing Technologies, Marketing
Thesis: „Database Marketing Mercedes-Benz A-Class in Brazil“
10/1990 – 12/1991: Service | Red Cross | Sindelfingen, Germany
05/1990: A levels | Goldberg Gymnasium | Sindelfingen, Germany

Seminars: Functional Qualification & Leadership Competences:
▪ Lean Senior Expert in Production | IWEX | 10/2015 – 06/2016
▪ Negotiation Skills & Leadership | London Business School | 03/2010 & 11/2012

IT knowledge: ERP | MES | Sciforma | Microsoft Office| AI

Decision Maker following strong values with >25 years Top-Management experience
 Sales responsibility up to 130 Mio. € | Leading Operations with 750 employees
 Delivering Strategic footprint, Turnaround, Growth and Transformation on a global scale
 Collaborative Leader with innovative spirit and a talent for problem solving priorities
 Strategic Thinker with extended international competencies in people development
 Target orientated | accountable | resilient | analytic | team minded | organized | assured

Responsibility with demanding requirements in moving the needle in Manufacturing and a
longterm perspective, driven by data, sustainability and transformation

New Program Launch Cost reduced -80% | -72% Order leadtime improved | Value Add
increased +52% | Operating Profit improved by 16% yearly | Indirect Cost reduced by 5%
p.a. | Efficiency improved +32% | Production plant transferred in <60 days | Greenfields in
Korea, Poland and Hungary up and running in <12 months

Nationality: German
Residence: Germany
Position: Chief Transformation Officer
Year of Birth: 1971
Languages: German (Mother tongue), English, French (Fluent), Italian, Portuguese (Basic)

LEANFLOW AI: Lean Principles Meet AI-Agents

Lean production is a management philosophy focused on maximizing customer value by systematically eliminating waste (“muda”) and reducing inefficiencies throughout the entire production process.

Originating from the Toyota Production System, it emphasizes continuous improvement (Kaizen), high-quality standards, reduced inventory, and just-in-time delivery to increase efficiency and responsiveness. 

Key aspects of using LEANFLOW AI approach:

  • Waste Elimination: Targets 8 types of waste: defects, overproduction, waiting, unused talent, transportation, inventory, motion, and extra-processing.
  • Value Addition: Focuses solely on actions that add value from the customer’s perspective.
  • Continuous Improvement (Kaizen): A long-term approach where all employees seek small, incremental improvements to processes.
  • Core Methodologies: Utilizes tools like Just-in-Time (JIT), 5S (Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain), Kanban, and Value Stream Mapping (VSM).
  • Core Principles: Defines value, maps the value stream, creates flow, establishes pull systems, and seeks perfection. 

What are the benefits of using LEANFLOW AI:

Increased Competitiveness: Streamlined operations create better market positioning. 

Lower Costs & Higher Efficiency: Reduced inventory, lower overheads, and fewer defective products.

Improved Quality & Flexibility: Enhanced ability to meet customer demands rapidly.

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in BRICS+ countries

Partner of ESG-Lotsen.com (PM, Interim Management Service)

Partner of BRICS+ Project Network (PM, Interim Management Provider Service)

CEO of GTEC (German Technology & Engineering Cooperation) with GTEC Profit Growth Academy and GTEC-Shop

Karlheinz Zuerl

Office Hongkong: Kowloon (Cell: +86 13482438080)

Office Thailand: Chiang Mai (Cell: +66 636780790)

Partner offices are in Can Tho (Vietnam), Bangalore (India), Dubai (UAE), Moscow (Russia), São Paulo (Brazil), and Shenzhen (China).

Website: https://gtec.asia

Email: contact@gtec.asia

WhatsApp: +49 1707680560

WeChat: +86 13482438080

You will find the latest publications at Amazon.de and Amazon.com and on https://www.gtec-shop.de/

Where we speak in public:

https://leanbase.de/latc/speakers/2026-karlheinz-zuerl

https://leanbase.de/latc/talks/2026-erfolgreich-im-shopfloor-in-china-losungen-die-sie-begeistern-werden

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



TWINSYNC AI: Turning Data into Operational Excellence

A digital twin is a dynamic virtual representation of a process or system that acts as its real-time digital counterpart.

The primary purpose of TWIN SYNC AI is to leverage data to enhance, predict, and optimize, often calculate manufacturing costs, purchasing costs, define real sales prices, reduce maintenance costs, and increase operational efficiency.

TWIN SYNC AI is a System/Process Twin: It is modelling complex systems, such as a factory or an entire supply chain.

With our TWIN SYNC AI, you can simulate & analyze: Users can run simulations to test scenarios (e.g., “what-if” analyses) without interrupting real-world operations, reducing risks and costs.

You’ll have the following advantages using TwinSync AI:

  • Savings in business process cost reduction
  • Build up a learning organization with supply-chain-related training and workshops
  • Savings in relocations/ increase localization content (if possible)
  • Savings in the purchasing of raw material
  • Savings in logistics (bundling, transportation)
  • Savings from pooling with your company plants or external partners
  • Savings from contracts
  • Savings in non-production material
  • Cost control

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in BRICS+ countries

Partner of ESG-Lotsen.com (PM, Interim Management Service)

Partner of BRICS+ Project Network (PM, Interim Management Provider Service)

CEO of GTEC (German Technology & Engineering Cooperation) with GTEC Profit Growth Academy and GTEC-Shop

Karlheinz Zuerl

Office Hongkong: Kowloon (Cell: +86 13482438080)

Office Thailand: Chiang Mai (Cell: +66 636780790)

Partner offices are in Can Tho (Vietnam), Bangalore (India), Dubai (UAE), Moscow (Russia), São Paulo (Brazil), and Shenzhen (China).

Website: https://gtec.asia

Email: contact@gtec.asia

WhatsApp: +49 1707680560

WeChat: +86 13482438080

You will find the latest publications at Amazon.de and Amazon.com and on https://www.gtec-shop.de/

Where we speak in public:

https://leanbase.de/latc/speakers/2026-karlheinz-zuerl

https://leanbase.de/latc/talks/2026-erfolgreich-im-shopfloor-in-china-losungen-die-sie-begeistern-werden

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



Our Supply Chain AI Solution DISTRIBIQ for your cost reduction activities

Our Supply Chain AI Solution DISTRIBIQ

1. THE CHALLENGE

Supply chain teams spend 30-60 minutes per complex query searching multiple systems for product specs, pricing, shipping rates, and compliance info. With 10+ queries daily, this creates bottlenecks, slow customer responses, and employee frustration doing repetitive work.

2. THE SOLUTION

AI answers complex queries in 2-3 minutes, including product availability, pricing calculations, shipping options, and compliance checks – all with source citations. Demo video shows the real system answering a multi-part question about product fulfillment to France with a complete cost breakdown and regulatory requirements.

3. BUSINESS IMPACT

For a team handling 10 queries daily, AI saves 6-7 hours per day (freed capacity for strategic work). Implementation costs are low with positive ROI typically within 3-6 months, plus competitive advantages from faster customer response times.

4. SECURITY & DATA PRIVACY

Data is encrypted at rest and in transit with multiple deployment options: cloud (fast, certified security), hybrid (data on-premises), or full on-premises (maximum control). Major cloud providers have dedicated security teams and certifications that most companies can’t match in-house.

5. GRADUAL IMPLEMENTATION

Start with a 4–6-week pilot (one department, limited documents, 3-5 users) to prove value with measurable results. Only expand to Phase 2 if pilot is successful – no “big bang” disruption, clear decision points at each phase.

6. MARKET CONTEXT

AI adoption in the supply chain is growing as technology matures and companies see real operational benefits. Early adopters gain competitive advantages through faster response times and better service quality.

7. NEXT STEPS

Free 30-minute consultation to discuss specific needs, followed by a custom pilot proposal if interested. Pilot includes clear success metrics and a decision point after 4-6 weeks – scale if successful or end if not meeting goals.

Key Messages Throughout

  • Challenge: Significant time spent on repetitive information hunting
  • Solution: AI answers complex queries in seconds with verification
  • Practical: Faster response, more capacity, better service
  • Secure: Multiple deployment options for different needs
  • Low risk: Prove value in pilot before committing
  • Timely: Technology maturing, early advantages available

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in BRICS+ countries

Partner of ESG-Lotsen.com (PM, Interim Management Service)

Partner of BRICS+ Project Network (PM, Interim Management Provider Service)

CEO of GTEC (German Technology & Engineering Cooperation) with GTEC Profit Growth Academy and GTEC-Shop

Karlheinz Zuerl

Office Hongkong: Kowloon (Cell: +86 13482438080)

Office Thailand: Chiang Mai (Cell: +66 636780790)

Partner offices are in Can Tho (Vietnam), Bangalore (India), Dubai (UAE), Moscow (Russia), São Paulo (Brazil), and Shenzhen (China).

Website: https://gtec.asia

Email: contact@gtec.asia

WhatsApp: +49 1707680560

WeChat: +86 13482438080

You will find the latest publications at Amazon.de and Amazon.com and on https://www.gtec-shop.de/

Where we speak in public:

https://leanbase.de/latc/speakers/2026-karlheinz-zuerl

https://leanbase.de/latc/talks/2026-erfolgreich-im-shopfloor-in-china-losungen-die-sie-begeistern-werden

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



China Moves to Master the Humanoid Robot Industry

For months, Elon Musk has been telling investors that the Tesla Optimus could revolutionize the global economy and create an entirely new mega-industry. Yet Musk has also repeatedly warned that the largest share of this emerging market could ultimately belong to China.

“China is an ass kicker, next level,” Musk said in January. “To the best of our knowledge, we don’t see any significant humanoid-robot competitors outside of China.”

A Rapidly Expanding Industry

China is moving quickly to position itself as the global leader in humanoid robotics. Startups and robotics companies are emerging across the country—from Shenzhen to Suzhou—with more than 140 firms now developing humanoid robots.

Leveraging an extensive network of parts suppliers and a deep pool of engineering talent, Chinese companies are beginning to scale up production and test humanoid robots in real-world environments. These machines are already appearing in factories, hotels, and office buildings, where they assist with logistics, customer interaction, and routine tasks.

Behind this rapid expansion is a strong push from Beijing. The Chinese government has identified “embodied AI”—the integration of artificial intelligence with physical robotic systems—as a strategic technology it aims to dominate within the next five years.

Massive Government Support

Government backing is playing a central role in accelerating the industry. Local authorities are offering companies land, discounted office space, and financial incentives, while banks are providing favorable loan terms.

Since late 2024, major cities including Beijing and Shenzhen have created investment funds totaling more than $26 billion to support humanoid-robot development, according to estimates from Morgan Stanley.

State institutions are also helping build an early market. Government agencies and state-owned enterprises are purchasing humanoid robots and deploying them in public spaces such as museums and events. Some robots have even appeared on city streets acting as “robocops,” assisting with traffic management.

These early deployments serve two important purposes: they help companies generate revenue while also collecting valuable operational data that can improve the robots’ performance.

To encourage adoption, some local governments are subsidizing purchases by covering around 10% of the cost of humanoid robots.

A Familiar Industrial Strategy

China’s approach mirrors the strategy it previously used to build other advanced industries, particularly electric vehicles.

Over the past decade, government incentives for buyers and manufacturers helped China develop one of the world’s most competitive EV sectors. Chinese automakers now dominate the domestic market and are rapidly expanding overseas, challenging established brands such as General Motors and Volkswagen in markets across China, Europe, and beyond.

According to Sunny Cheung, China is applying a similar formula to humanoid robotics.

“China is once again mobilizing state support, supply-chain depth, and rapid commercialization to build a new strategic sector,” he said.

However, the ultimate winner will likely depend on who can solve the complex technical challenges involved in building capable humanoid robots.

Early Days—and Plenty of Skepticism

Despite the momentum, the humanoid-robot industry remains in its infancy. It could take many years before robots become widely deployed—if they do at all.

Some skeptics argue that humanoid robots may be little more than a technology bubble, questioning whether they will ever find practical and economically viable use cases.

China’s push has also been accompanied by considerable hype. A recent 13-mile humanoid robot marathon showcased both the promise and the limitations of the technology. One robot managed to finish the race in under three hours—with human assistance—while several others stopped mid-course or refused to move altogether.

Growing Concern in the United States

Even so, China’s rapid progress is raising concerns among policymakers and technology leaders in the United States. The White House is reportedly working on an executive order aimed at strengthening the American robotics industry.

One major concern is the possibility that U.S. robotics companies could become dependent on China’s manufacturing ecosystem. Even Tesla’s Optimus robot is expected to rely on Chinese suppliers for key components such as roller screws. As the race to build advanced humanoid robots intensifies, the competition may ultimately hinge not only on technological breakthroughs—but also on control of global supply chains and industrial scale.

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in Europe and BRICS+ countries

CEO of GTEC (German Technology and Engineering Cooperation)

Co-Partner of BRICS Project Network

Book Author

Where we speak in public:

https://leanbase.de/latc/speakers/2026-karlheinz-zuerl

https://leanbase.de/latc/talks/2026-erfolgreich-im-shopfloor-in-china-losungen-die-sie-begeistern-werden

CLICK here to see more Ai articles.

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

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  • Contract can be cancelled any time

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GTEC REVIEW 2025 and OUTLOOK 2026

GTEC has restructured and diversified its revenue streams this year.

Through our partnership with the BRICS Project Network, we have gained new experts from different countries and brought the four pillars of our network to life. In particular, our investments in several start-ups in the fintech and entertainment sectors have proved highly profitable. In the product sector, we distribute ‘Microdots’ for the automotive and mechanical engineering industries (see https://gtec.asia/technical-service-in-industry/datadotdna/) and have developed the first AI product for the supply chain (software) and a second for the healthcare sector (hardware).

Our webinar on January 15 will explain the importance and efficiency for purchasing departments.

Additionally, I rent out my address in Thailand to companies and freelancers looking for an address, a bedroom, workspaces, and a conference table for additional employees, all with fast internet. My partners in Dubai, Hong Kong, Suzhou, and Shenzhen offer the same services. By 2026, we will have created a network of business centers and co-working spaces that SMEs can use as remote workplaces.

Together with Friedhelm Best from Singapore, the new member of the BRICS Project Network,, we published the book/e-book “The Rise of BRICS in Artificial Intelligence: How AI Will Change the World” in early December 2025.

Our partners in the BRICS Project Network enjoy preferential rates across all areas. For example, they receive significant discounts on our products, services, AI tools, books, and business centers.

As 2025 comes to a close, I would like to thank all our customers and business partners for their excellent and constructive cooperation. May you find peace and relaxation between the years, and all the best in the new year of 2026!

I am looking forward to what the new year will bring. How did 2025 treat you? I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in BRICS+ countries

Office Hongkong: Kowloon (Cell: +86 13482438080)

Office Thailand: Chiang Mai (Cell: +66 636780790)

Partner offices are in Can Tho (Vietnam), Bangalore (India), Dubai (UAE), Moscow (Russia), São Paulo (Brazil), and Shenzhen (China).

Website: https://gtec.asia

Email: contact@gtec.asia

WhatsApp: +49 1707680560

WeChat: +86 13482438080

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



Trend 1 of 5: LFP Cells on the Rise

GTEC (German Technology and Engineering Cooperation) has supported Western companies in Asia since 2005. Mostly in automotive, machinery, environmental technologies, business development, profitable investments, and management. Now, for the first time in history, we put all our knowledge and skills into our GTEC Profit Growth Academy.

As you cannot eat an elephant in one step, let us break down our insider knowledge into small pieces for easy digestion. If you want to get all the newsletters of this series, please write an email to contact@gtec.asia.

Adapt to the new trends in mobility in Asia

Trend 1 of 5: LFP Cells on the Rise

LFP stands for lithium‑iron‑phosphate — a battery chemistry that has rapidly become a serious challenger to the former standard, NMC (nickel‑manganese‑cobalt). In China, more LFP cells are already being produced than NMC for domestic cars, and manufacturers like VW and Mercedes plan to use LFP in their smaller models.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate

Why LFP?

Here are the benefits and the trade-offs:

  • Cheaper: LFP cells cost less to make because they avoid expensive, scarce heavy metals.
  • More robust and safer: LFP is thermally stable, which reduces the risk of fires.
  • Lower energy density: LFP operates at a slightly lower voltage, so it stores less energy per volume than some NMC cells.
  • Charging behavior: Traditionally, LFP charges more slowly than some NMC chemistries — but manufacturers are working hard to close that gap.

How CATL is improving LFP:

CATL is doubling down on LFP and aims to significantly speed up charging. The key is improved electrode materials — the company hasn’t disclosed all details. If CATL’s improvements were delivered as promised, LFP could take even more market share from NMC, which is typically about 20% more expensive to produce due to the complex extraction and processing of nickel and cobalt.

Source: https://www.evlithium.com/catl-battery-cell/catl-lifepo4-battery-cell-161ah.html

Trends in the NMC (Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide) world:

NMC chemistry is shifting away from cobalt because cobalt mining raises environmental and social concerns, and the metal is scarce. Tesla, for example, has cut cobalt dramatically — in their 4680 cells, the ratio favors much more nickel and far less cobalt and manganese. Tesla also uses other mixes like NCA (nickel‑cobalt‑aluminum) and even LFP in some models.

Source: https://diyguru.org/term/nmc-batteries/

New LFP variants LMFP:

A next step forward is LMFP (lithium‑manganese‑iron‑phosphate): manganese replaces part of the iron in the cathode to boost energy density. Companies such as GOTION (a VW partner) started producing higher‑energy LMFP cells from 2024.

Source: https://www.gotion.com.cn/news/newsdetails/1101.html

What does this mean for car buyers?

  • More automakers choose LFP: Toyota, BYD, VW, and others are expanding LFP offerings.
  • Cost advantage: batteries (and thus cars) can be cheaper.
  • Wider adoption: even SUVs that once used NMC are being shifted to LFP over time.

In short:

LFP is improving fast and spreading widely — it’s cheaper, safer, and getting more capable. That makes it a defining trend for the next generation of EV batteries.

Follow us to catch the next breakthroughs in battery technology as they happen.

We will explore these issues. Please follow us to stay updated.

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in Europe and BRICS+ countries

CEO of GTEC (German Technology and Engineering Cooperation)

Co-Partner of BRICS Project Network

Book Author

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in Europe and BRICS+ countries

CEO of GTEC (German Technology and Engineering Cooperation)

Co-Partner of BRICS Project Network

Book Author

Where we speak in public:

https://leanbase.de/latc/speakers/2026-karlheinz-zuerl

https://leanbase.de/latc/talks/2026-erfolgreich-im-shopfloor-in-china-losungen-die-sie-begeistern-werden

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



Insider Knowledge Automotive Asia

GTEC (German Technology and Engineering Cooperation) has supported Western companies in Asia since 2005. Mostly in automotive, machinery, environmental technologies, business development, profitable investments, and management. Now, for the first time in history, we put all our knowledge and skills into our GTEC Profit Growth Academy.

As you cannot eat an elephant in one step, let us break down our insider knowledge into small pieces for easy digestion. If you want to get all the newsletters of this series, please write an email to contact@gtec.asia.

Adapt to the new trends in mobility in Asia

What will traction batteries in EVs be able to do soon—and how are they built? We took a closer look. Stay tuned to keep ahead of the curve.

First Example: BYD’s “Blade” Battery. In its flagship HAN, BYD introduced the Blade battery. It ditches traditional modules: instead of many small bricks, it uses long cells that span the battery tray sideways. About 100–120 cells are spread across the pack’s width. This layout means roughly 85% of the battery is active material, the part that stores energy. Why it matters:

  • Denser use of space
  • Fewer non-essential parts
  • Better pack weight and packaging efficiency

Source: https://en.byd.com/news_category/press-release/

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ4AwbVjd5y/ 23.11.2025

Second Example: CATL’s “Shenxing” Battery. CATL keeps unveiling new cell formats. Shenxing promises a leap in charge/discharge speed: up to 80% state of charge in about ten minutes—already in series production. The secret is advanced LFP chemistry. Key innovations:

  • Densified cathode particle architecture packs more active material into less space.
  • A 3D honeycomb anode boosts energy density while taming expansion and contraction during charge and discharge.
  • Smart casing and cell geometry maximize interior volume; CATL’s module-free CTP 3.0 saves both space and weight.

Cell-to-Pack (sometimes referred to as C2P or CTP) is a new battery design approach that eliminates intermediate modules and connects the battery cells directly to the pack. This reduces the weight, size, and cost of the battery and increases its energy density and efficiency.

What does this mean for drivers:

  • Faster charging: shorter, simpler pit stops.
  • More range and space efficiency: more energy without a bigger battery bay.
  • Fewer modules: cleaner design that can cut cost, weight, and failure points.

Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/DOWSFbtgV0Z/, 23.11.2025

Bottom line: Battery design shifts from many small modules to larger, space-optimized cells and packs—paired with new chemistries that charge faster and store more energy.

Follow us to catch the next breakthroughs in battery technology as they happen.

For example, what will the traction batteries of electric vehicles look like soon? How will they be manufactured?

We will explore these issues. Please follow us to stay updated.

Karlheinz Zuerl

The System Doctor for your Profit Growth in Europe and BRICS+ countries

CEO of GTEC (German Technology and Engineering Cooperation)

Co-Partner of BRICS Project Network

Book Author

Where we speak in public:

https://leanbase.de/latc/speakers/2026-karlheinz-zuerl

https://leanbase.de/latc/talks/2026-erfolgreich-im-shopfloor-in-china-losungen-die-sie-begeistern-werden

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!



Playlist: Interim Management in China

With our case studies at United Interim (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6OD9qbwYi7BEuSvcNZkRsz) , we have shown our excellence in business development, turnaround, restructuring, and transformation.

But there is another practical modern approach for managers and engineers in industry to achieve profit growth.

See the unique Case Studies for effective cost-cutting in Asia at the following link: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-82782-3

If you’d like to go into details about your challenges in BRICS countries, please arrange a meeting with us.

See our team at https://gtec.asia/experts-in-industry/ and our technical services at https://gtec.asia/technical-service-in-industry/.

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Mit unseren ersten sechs Fallstudien bei United Interim (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6OD9qbwYi7BEuSvcNZkRsz) haben wir unsere Kompetenz in den Bereichen Geschäftsentwicklung, Turnaround, Restrukturierung und Transformation eindrucksvoll unter Beweis gestellt.

Es gibt jedoch noch einen weiteren praktischen und modernen Ansatz für Manager und Ingenieure in der Industrie, um Gewinnwachstum zu erzielen.

Sehen Sie sich unter dem folgenden Link die einzigartigen Fallstudien für effektive Kostensenkungen in Asien an: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-82782-3

Wenn Sie näher auf Ihre Herausforderungen in den BRICS-Staaten eingehen möchten, vereinbaren Sie bitte einen Termin mit uns.

Sie finden unser Team unter https://gtec.asia/experts-in-industry/ und unsere technischen Dienste unter https://gtec.asia/technical-service-in-industry/.

Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
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Expert: Growing Trend Towards Autonomous Factories

Karlheinz Zuerl, CEO of the German Technology & Engineering Corporation, stated: “While Europe is still focused on Industry 4.0, Asia is already gearing up for Industry 5.0, which emphasizes autonomy over mere connectivity.”

Berlin/Shanghai, 29 April 2025 – Karlheinz Zuerl, CEO of the German Technology & Engineering Corporation (GTEC), is confident that autonomous factories are rapidly emerging in Asia and will gradually make their way to Europe in the coming years, albeit with some delay. He commented: “While Europe takes pride in its achievements with Industry 4.0, Asia has already advanced to Industry 5.0.” By this, Zuerl refers to production facilities completely devoid of human workers, where only robots operate. These “ghost factories” are made possible through the integration of advanced computing, networking, artificial intelligence, robotics, and innovative manufacturing processes.

“Europe is sugarcoating Industry 4.0”

Karlheinz Zuerl refers to the latest “World Robotics Report” by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), which contains figures from 2023. According to the report, there are now almost 4.3 million industrial robots working in factories worldwide — a historic high. Over 540,000 new robots were installed in 2023, more than half of which (51 per cent) were installed in China. Europe accounted for just 17 per cent of all new installations. Germany, the largest European market for industrial robots according to the IFR, recorded growth of just 7 per cent compared to the previous year.

According to the CEO of the German Technology & Engineering Corporation, “in Europe, and particularly in Germany, there is a tendency to exaggerate the significance of Industry 4.0 with meaningless figures.” For instance, studies by the industry associations Bitkom and VDMA claim that approximately 65 per cent of companies in Germany utilize Industry 4.0 technologies. “That sounds impressive, but it’s completely irrelevant because it includes every device with a Wi-Fi connection,” said Karlheinz Zuerl.

BMW is at 4.0, Tesla is at 5.0, and China is above 4.5

It is telling that the BMW plant in Dingolfing is considered the pride of the German automotive industry because, since 2024, fully manufactured cars drive themselves to quality control. “However, this only works with special external sensors along the route and does not mean that the vehicles themselves have autonomous driving capabilities,” said Karlheinz Zuerl. “It’s not comparable to the Tesla factory in Fremont, California, where the cars travel from the production line to the logistics area entirely autonomously, without any external support. BMW is at level 4.0, Tesla is at 5.0, and many Chinese manufacturers are already at 4.5 or better in this scenario.”

GTEC boss Karlheinz Zuerl is concerned that the gap will continue to widen to Germany’s disadvantage. He points out that the VDMA is forecasting a weak year for robot installations in 2025. However, according to the association, there is hope for a slight recovery in 2026.

Surge in Digital Twin Adoption in Asia

“In Asia, we are witnessing a surge in the adoption of ‘Autonomous Production Twins’ (APT) or digital twins in the manufacturing industry, aimed at autonomously monitoring, controlling, and optimizing production processes,” reported Karlheinz Zuerl. An APT combines real-time data, artificial intelligence, and advanced networking to create a virtual representation of the production system that can make decisions and adjust processes on its own. “An autonomous production twin can actively control manufacturing processes and respond to unforeseen events, such as rescheduling in the event of material shortages,” explained the GTEC CEO, highlighting how this has become a daily reality in more and more factories across Asia.

“Unmanned factories can reduce operating costs by up to 25 per cent, increase productivity by up to 30 per cent, and cut error rates by up to 40 per cent,” said Karlheinz Zuerl, highlighting the competitive advantage of Asian Industry 5.0 production. The GTEC CEO offers this advice to Western industrial companies: “Set up an autonomous factory in Asia, learn how it works, and then adopt this concept for your European plants.” This approach is suitable not only for car manufacturers, but also for many machine and plant manufacturers. Although sensor technology, software, and infrastructure account for around a third of the total costs of setting up an autonomous factory, Karlheinz Zuerl said that the higher investment pays for itself in the first year of operation, thanks to the significantly lower wage bill alone. Added to this are greater flexibility in reacting to market changes and a higher quality standard, which reduces rework costs and increases customer satisfaction.

GTEC (https://gtec.asia) helps Western industrial companies to overcome challenges in Asia. The focus is on business development, the establishment and expansion of branches and production facilities, as well as restructuring and turnaround measures to bring automotive suppliers and mechanical engineering companies in critical phases back into the profit zone. Under the direction of CEO Karlheinz Zuerl, a team of consultants, experts, and interim managers is on hand to work on-site with the client if necessary. The CEO himself is available for tasks as an interim general manager and for executive consulting. GTEC’s list of references includes corporations such as BMW, Bosch, General Motors and Siemens, large medium-sized companies such as Hella, Schaeffler, Valeo and ZF, as well as smaller medium-sized companies that are less well known but are operating all the more

Weitere Informationen: GTEC, Web: https://gtec.asia,
E-Mail: contact@gtec.asia

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Experts in the Automotive Industry Asia

You need one, but don`t want to hire one permanently?

Our solution: To rent our experts

  • On pay-to-use basis
  • Completely flexible
  • Contract can be cancelled any time

Clearly represented reports and dashboards inclusive!