The automotive industry is one of the most successful sectors in Germany. With its large research budgets, it makes a significant contribution to innovation and technical development in the country. Can this importance be maintained in the future, despite rapidly changing conditions? And how should the automotive industry transform itself? Driven by the demands of climate protection, the dwindling availability of fossil fuels, and the dynamics in non-European growth markets, particularly in China, the automotive industry must face seven challenges. These include improving vehicle efficiency, developing alternative drives, positioning the industry as a premium and technology leader, entering into small vehicle concepts, and mastering the synchronization of vehicle platform concepts and product diversity.