Convergent and divergent needs of the automotive and heavy equipment industries – Ep. 9
Automotive and the heavy equipment industries face similar challenges on the round to deploying software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and autonomy more efficiently. But the strategies underlying each approach is an interesting point of discussion. Heavy equipment OEMs have a much greater emphasis on long lasting products, but making SDVs and software-defined equipment is changing this once basic difference between the industries.
To talk about the ongoing changes in the two parallel industries and the solutions driving transformation of transportation, in this three-part series on heavy equipment and autonomous functionality in software-defined product, we have Hendrick Lange (Senior Director of Heavy Equipment at Siemens Digital Industries) and Akshay Sheorey (Automotive and Transportation Industry Specialist for Autonomy). For the next three episode, our host, Nand Kochhar (VP of the Automotive and Transportation Industries) and moderator Michael Severson (Senior Automotive Marketing Manager at Siemens) will discuss the ins and out of software, electronics, and more.
Nand Kochhar – Host
Nand Kochhar is the vice president of Automotive and Transportation Industry Strategy for Siemens Digital Industries Software. He joined Siemens in 2020 after nearly 30 years with Ford Motor Company, where he most recently served as Global Safety Systems Chief Engineer. In this capacity, Kochhar was responsible for vehicle safety performance of all Ford and Lincoln brand products globally. He also served as Executive Technical Leader, CAE, and as a member of Ford’s Technology Advisory Board. Kochhar’s tenure at Ford also included executive engineering leadership across a range of disciplines including in product development, manufacturing, digitalization, simulation technology development and implementation.
Kochhar has additionally been active in SAE International, where he has served as Chairman of the Executive standards committee, leader of a cross-industry group focused on driving standards for mobility, autonomous vehicle development, electrification and connectivity. Kochhar also served as Chairman of SAE’s Motor Vehicle Council for 2015-16 terms, after which he was named the Vice Chair of Technical Standards Board (TSB) in 2017 and then TSB Chair in 2018 and 2019.
Kochhar graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) with a master’s degree in Engineering Mechanics. He was inducted as a member of the Academy of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineers at Missouri S&T in 2005. He lives in Northville, Michigan with his wife and two kids.
Hendrick Lange – Guest
Hendrick Lange is the Senior Director of Heavy Equipment at Siemens Digital Industries, with an additional 20 years of experience in the automotive and transportation sector for Siemens.
Akshay Sheorey – Guest
Akshay Sheorey is the Business Development Manager for Autonomous Vehicles at Siemens Digital Industries Software with an extensive background in the software aspects of modern vehicles.
Michael Severson – Moderator
Mike Severson is a Senior Automotive Marketing Manager for Siemens Digital Industries Software, where he drives the achievement of the company’s strategic automotive objectives. He joined Siemens in 2022 after nearly 15 years with Ford Motor Company. During his tenure at Ford, he held several key positions in which he developed and executed initiatives to drive innovation, deliver business results, and enhance the customer experience. In his most recent role at Ford, he served as the Ford GT Program Manager, where he launched and marketed high-value vehicles and designed luxury customer experiences. He also served as the Technology Marketing Manager, collaborating with key technology partners to drive monetization and introduce industry-first technologies.
He graduated from the University of Washington Foster School of Business in Seattle, Washington, and currently lives in the Detroit Metro area with his wife and daughter. In his free time, he enjoys riding motorcycles, snowboarding, and attending concerts.
On the Move: A Siemens Automotive Podcast
The automotive and transportation industries are in the middle of a transformation in how vehicles are designed, made, and sold. Driven by an influx of new technologies, consumer demands, environmental pressures, and a changing workforce in factories and offices, automotive companies are pushing to reinvent fundamental aspects of their businesses. This includes developing more advanced and capable vehicles, identifying new revenue sources, improving customer experiences, and changing the ways in which features and functionality are built into vehicles.
Welcome to On the Move, a podcast from Siemens Digital Industries Software that will dive into the acceleration of mobility innovation amid unprecedented change in the automotive and transportation industries. Join hosts Nand Kochhar, VP of Automotive and Transportation, and Conor Peick, Automotive and Transportation Writer, as they dive into the shifting automotive landscape with expert guests from Siemens and around the industry. Tune in to learn about modern automotive design and engineering challenges, how software and electronics have grown in use and importance, and where the industries might be heading in the future.
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