VDIK, ZDK, and the University of St. Gallen Collaborate: New Program for Business Leaders
The Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) and the German Motor Vehicle Trade Association (ZDK), together with the University of St. Gallen as well as leading academics and C-level executives from the automotive industry, are creating a new platform for the next generation of leaders: the senior executive program “Future Automotive Business Leader.”
VDIK President Imelda Labbé: “To take on responsibility for a brand or a large dealer group, a robust network of automotive dealers and manufacturers is essential. The industry’s next generation of leaders now needs the strategic tools and a visionary perspective that extends beyond their own horizons in order to identify potential and fulfill their leadership roles.”
The “Future Automotive Business Leader” program brings together the industry’s most promising young leaders to create a network that will carry the industry into the future. Participants receive the “Future Automotive Business Leader” certificate from the University of St. Gallen and, upon completion, become part of the exclusive alumni network of the University of St. Gallen’s Institute for Mobility.
“With this program, we aim to empower and motivate the future top managers at manufacturers and dealers to actively and successfully shape the future of individual mobility,” said Prof. Andreas Herrmann, director and founder of the Institute for Mobility at the University of St. Gallen.
“Anyone who wants to lead tomorrow’s automotive industry must be prepared to continuously develop their skills,” explains ZDK President Thomas Peckruhn. “The ‘Future Automotive Business Leader’ program is a logical follow-up for graduates of our Federal Vocational School for Business Administration in the Automotive Industry (BFC) who, after several years of successful professional experience, wish to further develop their management skills in a targeted manner and expand their strategic and entrepreneurial abilities in close collaboration with dealers and manufacturers.”
The four program modules:
- Future Automotive Business Leaders (Prof. Dr. Andreas Herrmann): What changes among customers, in the competitive landscape, in technology, in the establishment of new business models, and in legislation will influence the personal mobility business in the future?
- Leadership, Change, and Transformation (Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Jennewein): How do leaders respond to the pressure for change in the interconnected and uncertain markets of the automotive industry while simultaneously providing their teams with direction and instilling confidence?
- Business Model Innovation (Prof. Dr. Oliver Gassmann): How can business model innovations be used to create new value propositions, tap into additional revenue streams, and achieve sustainable differentiation in the market? Digitalization and artificial intelligence play a key role in this.
- Marketing/Sales/Brand/Retail (Jürgen Stackmann, Prof. Dr. Torsten Tomczak): How is competition changing as a result of e-mobility, new mobility and software solutions, and data-driven customer engagement? How are sales and retail becoming the central touchpoints?
The program is designed to be taken while working and consists of four three-day modules spread over nine months. The seminars are supplemented by exclusive networking events. The program begins in March 2027; interested candidates can apply through November 30. For more information, visit