Position Paper: Regional Networks and Automotive Industry Reha Tözün Stuttgart Region Economic Development Cooperation

Under pressure? Environment Markets Organisation and proceses complexity

A tired-cliché... © Cartoonstock.com

...with a new twist? © Cartoonstock.com

Knowledge, the only meaningful resource Economies of knowledge and economies of speed There goes economies of scale out of the window? (no, not really) Yet, the message is written on the wall: –Be more innovative (and be faster doing it)!

It takes (at least) two to innovate Innovation through networks: Is there any other option?

The regional perspective Innovation has a regional dimension Regional networking and support organizations, cluster managers, regional development organizations… Best-placed to identify and react on local challenges and potentials Business development, cooperation and learning effects: “helping regions to help themselves”

The supra-regional dimension European regions need to operate in networks, too Complementarities, learning through reflection, learning from success stories (also from not so successful ones), easing the way of business networks… Through AUTREG: –Virtual reality and cooperative engineering Virtual Dimension Centre of Stuttgart Region VISIO Concept of Montbeliard –Intelligent and sustainable energy Ghent Luton

The EU-Dimension European Globalization Adjustment Fund Interreg III-IV-… Regions of Knowledge in the Capacities Programme of FP7 Innova

European Automotive Strategy Network Opportunities to improve cooperation across Europe by devising sector specific networks European Automotive Strategy Network (EASN) –TCAS, BeLCAR, Network of Automotive Regions, NEAC, I-CAR-O –Painting a big picture that does not renounce regional specificities A long-term platform for European automotive regions Open invitation for European Commission for discussion to co-establish the means of dialogue and cooperation with this new, progressive initiative.

Reha Tözün Stuttgart Region Economic Development Cooperation