30/6/2025 |Articles are machine translated
Automotive Leaders Forum 2025 was opened by Martin Jahn, President of AutoSAP. | Photo: Hana Görlichová
More than one hundred and twenty participants from the automotive industry, government, business and academia gathered on 24 June 2025 in Prague’s FUZE restaurant in the iconic Masarycka building for the fourth edition of the Automotive Leaders Forum. The event, organised by the Automotive Industry Association, this year focused on the wider context of automotive industry developments – from economic data to climate challenges to geopolitical change. There were also the traditional awards for the best companies of the year and more than six hours of informal networking.
The evening was opened by moderator Rebecca Diatilová and the first words belonged to the president of AutoSAP Martin Jahn, who highlighted the role of the automotive industry as a stable pillar of the Czech economy. Subsequently, the two ministers – Minister of Transport Martin Kupka and Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček – also spoke, praising the successful cooperation towards further years of competitiveness of the Czech auto industry. Florence Doucy, the general partner of Hyundai Motor Group, delivered a speech emphasising the importance of the Czech Republic as an important partner of the automotive industry in meeting the challenges ahead.
The first keynote presentation was given by David Navrátil, Chief Economist of Česká spořitelna. In his presentation, he summarized the current macroeconomic developments in the Czech Republic and the EU and pointed out the key factors affecting the performance of the industry: interest rates, consumer demand and inflation. He also recalled geopolitical risk factors, in particular instability in supply chains and uncertainty in the energy sector.
He was followed by Tomáš Fürst, a mathematician and data analyst from Palacký University in Olomouc, with an original paper on climate change and how to approach its assessment through mathematical modelling. He offered a critical but substantive reflection on current data and methodologies and asked the question whether we really have enough information to make crucial decisions that translate into industrial and environmental policy. The audience appreciated the balanced approach and deeper insight into an issue that also has a direct impact on the future of mobility.
The expert part was followed by a gala dinner in the form of a buffet and then the traditional announcement of the results of the Automotive Business of the Year competition. The competition annually recognizes companies that excel in innovation, quality, efficiency and social responsibility. The winners for 2024 were presented in the presence of prominent industry figures and received awards symbolizing the success of the Czech automotive industry. 3M Česko, spol. s r.o., D PLAST a.s. and TIBERINA Automotive Bělá s.r.o. were awarded in alphabetical order in the category of companies with up to 250 employees. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech s.r.o., Magna Exteriors Bohemia s.r.o. and Škoda Auto a.s. The final part of the evening belonged to informal networking among the participants of the Automotive Leaders Forum, which, like the first conference part of the evening, took place in the modern environment of the FUZE restaurant in the iconic Masarycka building. In addition to great food from the kitchen of chef Jakub Hirsch, the participants also enjoyed a musical performance by singer Maky.
The event was supported by the following partners. The general partner was Hyundai Motor Group. The main partners of the fourth edition of Automotive Leaders Forum 2025 included ACS Automotive Cluster of Slovenia, Panattoni and Renomia. Other partners of the evening were ACEA, Dress & Sommer, EY, JTEKT, Peterka & Partners, QPAG, Tiyo and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech. The event was media supported by the magazine Český autoprůmysl.
Automotive Leaders Forum 2025 confirmed that dialogue across industry, politics and academia is essential in today’s turbulent times. Open debate, experience sharing and inspiring presentations were again key to strengthening the position of the Czech automotive industry in the European and global context. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to this year’s success – partners, guests and speakers. We are already working on next year’s edition, which will bring another batch of topical issues, strategic perspectives and new networking opportunities. Join us in 2026 – together we are creating the future of mobility.
