Automotive Cluster Bulgaria, arch. Lyubomir Stanislavov: Current dynamics of the sector`s development is impressive

Arch. Lyubomir Stanislavov, CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of Automotive Cluster Bulgaria (ACB), for South-East European Industrial Market

As the automotive sector is going through dynamic changes, ACB`s traditional forum has also evolved. What was new and different about the platform in 2024? From the standpoint of time and experience in organizing and running the event, what is the most valuable thing it brings to the industry?

The international conference is ACB`s largest event, covering the most current technological directions in the industry. Our partners in organizing this year’s Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2024 were InvestBulgaria Agency (IBA), the Association of Car Manufacturers and Their Authorized Representatives for Bulgaria (ACM) and law firm Kinstellar.

In synergy with the accelerated pace of development of the sector, every year we expand the scale of the forum, and we are happy to share that this year`s edition was the most successful to date. The event offered a rich lecture and accompanying program with the participation of globally established speakers. Between 11 and 13 June Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2024`s stage brought together more than 50 presenters, who shared their expertise and vision for the future development of the industry within the three thematic days of the event. Among the keynote speakers were representatives of C4V, Urban Foresight, Yazaki, Toyota Motor Europe, EtherMind and Visteon.

Holding such an international forum has a high added value as it provides a platform for companies to meet and exchange good practices. The conference gives the opportunity for local automotive companies to “check their watches” with the global trends in the sector, and the international guests – to gain a broad view of the innovation capacity of the Bulgarian automotive industry.

Which of the topics and technologies covered during the conference would you find most surprising if you had seen this year`s program a quarter of a century ago?

Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2024 covered the current revolution in the automotive industry, the dynamics of whose development these days is impressive, looking from the perspective of the time 25 years ago.

Automation and robotic solutions are an increasingly permanent presence in modern manufacturing, and the pace of their improvement and implementation in factories would have inevitably provoked our astonishment a quarter of a century ago. We are happy that within Automotive Forum Bulgaria 2024 we were able to present a number of successful Bulgarian and international technological examples from the world of robotics and digitalization.

Artificial intelligence and software have fundamentally changed today’s paradigm for mobility. Innovations in these directions are already tangibly “present” in our cars. Breakthroughs in autonomous and connected mobility are among the main drivers of innovation in the industry. The integration of connectivity and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies significantly increases the efficiency and safety of vehicles and expands the kaleidoscope of opportunities for the sector.

The Bulgarian automotive industry is already a factor on the world map. What is needed to catch up with the global pace as well as in the field of electric mobility?

In recent years, Bulgaria has successfully strengthened its position on the global industrial map. In order to keep up with the pace of deployment of electric mobility, key factors are technological modernization and increasing the qualifications and skills of specialists. Investments in the production of technologies for electric mobility are also important in order for our country to be competitive on the world market.

Automotive industry is entering the metaverse at an ever-increasing rate. How far will the frontiers of automation, software and artificial intelligence stretch in the coming years, and how do our home-based industries reflect these trends?

Automation, software and artificial intelligence are the hallmarks of the 21st century automotive industry. At the same time, they bring great potential for development, which will outline the new realities in the industry in the years to come.

Modern smart productions in our country must comply with a number of requirements and regulations related to reducing the carbon footprint, achieving high energy efficiency, implementing ESG standards, cyber security standards and others.