Alfredo Altavilla, the automotive supermanager who loves motorbikes: ‘Europe can do it, but it has to collaborate with the Chinese’
Six years ago we met Altavilla, then at the top management of FCA. Today he is Special Advisor for Europe at BYD, the world's largest producer of electric cars. Alfredo is a true motorcyclist and here we start from a common passion to talk about the future: the Chinese are a threat, how will European car manufacturers survive?
Six years ago Altavilla was Sergio Marchionne's right-hand man. Since then, the world has changed: the domestic car industry is in serious trouble and the entire European car industry is suffering, the German brands in the lead. Chinese manufacturers are becoming faster, more technological and more aggressive on the markets: how will we be able to face them?
Here is the vision of Alfredo Altavilla, who for the past few months has been Special Advisor for Europe at BYD -a giant in electric cars, batteries and energy- which wants to become a leader in Europe. The interview covers: electric and hybrid cars, duties imposed on the Chinese by the EU, Stellantis and industrial policy in Italy, Audi closing its electric car factory, possible solutions for the future...
Alfredo's father raced the Milano-Taranto, passion for motorbikes is in his DNA: has he ever thought of taking up motorcycling? Altavilla reveals: with Marchionne we analysed at the time the possibility of acquiring an important Italian manufacturer. And he is certain: the passion for motorbikes will remain as it is today, petrol-powered.