Continental AG CEO: software unit Elektrobit is key asset for us (updated)
09/11/2021 15:14
(Adds quotes from later summit on software staff and
partnerships)
FRANKFURT/LUDWIGSBURG, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Continental AG's
CONG.DE automotive software division Elektrobit is a strategic
asset and key to the group's ambitions, Chief Executive Nikolai
Setzer said on Tuesday.
His comments, made during the Handelsblatt Automotive
Summit, came in response to a question on whether Continental
could rule out a sale of the division to Volkswagen VOWG_p.DE ,
which is expanding its own capabilities in the field via its
Cariad unit.
Speaking later in the day at a separate summit in
Ludwigsburg, Setzer said the company had around 17,000 staff
software programmers so far, but that it was also open to
expanding its capabilities in the area through partnerships with
other firms.
"It is not always about the number," Setzer said. "You need
the right architects. Partnerships are also essential."
(Reporting by Christoph Steitz in Frankfurt, Victoria Waldersee
in Ludwigsburg;
Editing by Riham Alkousaa and Paul Carrel)
((christoph.steitz@thomsonreuters.com; +49 30 220 133 647;))