3 Questions for… Erik Reiter, CEO & Co-founder, Digital Automotive
“Analog workflows create blind spots”
Erik Reiter (left) with colleagues at the IZB trade fair in Wolfsburg.
Erik Reiter
In the lead-up to the Automotive Battery Conference, we spoke with Erik Reiter, CEO and Co-Founder of Digital Automotive IT Manufactory. With over 25 years of international management experience in the automotive supplier industry, Reiter has held various leadership roles.
In his keynote at the Automotive Battery Conference, taking place on 9–10
July 2025 in Munich, he will discuss how digitalization can enhance
forecasting accuracy and agility in e-mobility sales planning, the risks of
maintaining analog workflows in a dynamic EV market, and how suppliers should
prioritize project investments amid market volatility and technological
transitions.
ADT: How can digitalization improve the forecasting
accuracy and agility of e-mobility sales planning?
Reiter: Digitalization improves e-mobility sales planning by
integrating actuals and call-offs from SAP with mid- and long-term forecasts
from S&P Global Mobility. It automates scenario planning, highlights
volume gaps, and ensures consistent planning logic across teams. This boosts
agility, allowing quick reactions to market or customer changes. And not to
forget: it supports strategic decisions — like which regions, customers, and
carlines to target with your products.
What are the risks of continuing analog workflows in a
dynamic EV market environment?
Analog workflows slow you down, create blind spots, and increase the risk of wrong decisions. In the
dynamic EV market, volumes shift fast, OEM forecasts change frequently, and
margins are tight. Without real-time data and automation, you miss
opportunities, react too late, or make planning errors that directly impact
profitability.
How should suppliers prioritize project investments
amid market volatility and technology transitions?
Suppliers should prioritize projects with strategic
customers, long-term volume potential, and technological fit. In a
volatile EV market, it’s critical to align with OEM platforms that are likely
to scale — and to assess profitability and resource impact early. Data-driven
project selection and transparent sales planning reduce risk and improve return
on investment.
