In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer podcast, host John Stech welcomes back Chinese culture trend forecaster and brand strategist Grace Mou for a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation. Fresh from her first-ever trip to Europe - visiting France and Italy - Grace shares her candid impressions of Western culture, technology, and branding through the eyes of a Chinese professional immersed in global consumer trends. What she discovered surprised her. "I never expected that Europe is living in the past while China is living in the future," Grace reflects. From the absence of mobile payment systems to the analog pace of daily life, she found herself transported not forward, but backward in time. Yet rather than dismissing the slower rhythm, she came to admire it. "Europeans don't live on their smartphones. They can have more time to enjoy their life." The conversation dives into the rituals of Italian coffee culture, the emotional resonance of European branding, and the contrast between Shanghai's innovation-driven consumerism and Europe's reverence for tradition. "In China, we obsess over usefulness. But in Europe, beauty and heritage come first," Grace explains. Her insights challenge assumptions about progress and offer a nuanced view of what it means to live and nurture brands well. As a branding strategist, Grace found herself rethinking the very foundations of value. "Sometimes, the useless is the most powerful," she says, pointing to the rise of emotional economy brands like PopMart in China. Her reflections suggest a cultural shift on the horizon, one where aesthetics, storytelling, and emotional connection may begin to rival functionality in Chinese consumer expectations. Grace also touches on sustainability, noting Europe's embrace of the circular economy through vintage shops and secondhand fashion. "In China, people jump to the newest things. But in Europe, they appreciate what has already lived," she observes. This reverence for the past, she argues, could offer valuable lessons for China's fast-moving consumer culture. To accompany this episode, Grace has published two Substack essays: one exploring Milan's coffee culture compared to Shanghai's, and another on discovering authentic French cuisine outside Paris. Tune in for a rich, cross-cultural dialogue that will leave you rethinking technology, branding, and the art of living. You can find those here on Grace's Substack page: https://substack.com/@trendculturebrand. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss her weekly insightful articles on brand and culture trends. You can learn more about The Auto Ethnographer on the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com You can also follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer #chinaculture #chinarising #eastmeetswest #milano #paris #coffeeculture #focaccia #progress

In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer, host John Stech explores the cultural and diplomatic shockwaves following a U.S. immigration raid at a Korean-run EV battery plant in Georgia. Nearly 500 Korean nationals - engineers, technicians, and students - were detained despite holding valid visas. The raid triggered not only legal action but also a deep rupture in trust between South Korea and the United States. John examines the human toll, the Korean cultural concept of chemyeon (face), and how public humiliation abroad reverberates through Korean society. He connects the incident to South Korea's escape from an authoritarian past and highlights how the raid was framed as a moral and diplomatic crisis. With Korean firms reevaluating U.S. investments and a class-action lawsuit now underway, this episode asks: What happens when dignity is violated in a global business partnership? This is not just a story about immigration enforcement—it's about cultural diplomacy, strategic clarity, and the fragile nature of trust between allies. Tune in for a sobering look at how global mobility intersects culture and politics, and why symbolic repair may be the only path forward. Subscribe, rate, and share The Auto Ethnographer wherever you listen. Visit https://auto-ethnographer.com [https://auto-ethnographer.com/]  for more insights and updates. Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer]

Today's episode is a bit of a back-to-school episode. Until now you have heard truly insightful stories from automotive executives that have navigated different cultures. Today we break out the chalkboard and try to fit a simple, yet complex, framework around those conversations. That framework was developed by Geert Hofstede. Let's have a short introduction to Geert Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions. Based on research that he conducted in the 1970's, Hofstede constructed six cultural dimensions by which different countries or cultures could be compared on a relative basis. These help to create context and understanding for differences that one could see or feel but not really explain. The six dimensions are the Individualism vs. Collectivism Dimension, the Power Distance Dimension, the Uncertainty Avoidance Dimension, the Masculinity vs. Femininity Dimension, the Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation, and the Indulgence vs. Restraint Dimension. The names already hint at what each may be about. Host John Stech provides a brief tour of Hofstede's six cultural dimensions. He provides short examples from his automotive career for each dimension, helping to understand each. As a German immigrant to the United States, he had always felt a bit out of sync with peers. The "ah-ha" moment came when he first read Hofstede's cultural dimensions. The light bulb came on. This is just a short introduction to Hofstede's work. Volumes have been written about it and other works are based on it. For more information, it is recommended to visit the website. There you can find the maps visible in the video version of this podcast. You can also find other resources, such as a tool where you can pick several countries and see how they line up on the six dimensions. This can be fascinating if you have a specific culture in mind. You can find these at https://www.geerthofstede.com [https://www.geerthofstede.com/] . For more information about The Auto Ethnographer, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/]. You can also follow on social media. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer

The news media are continuously reporting on the declining fortunes of foreign automakers in China. But what are the manufacturers doing to turn that story around? In this episode of The Auto Ethnographer, host John Jörn Stech takes a look into Volkswagen's efforts to stem the decline and fuel a future rise. Despite decades in China as one of the first automakers, and a commanding market share for most of those years, the market has shifted and Volkswagen has been struggling. The massive shift into EVs in the Chinese market seemed perfectly matched to VW's own aspirations as an EV-focused brand. But something went wrong. Volkswagen's cars seemed to miss the mark with consumer tastes in terms of styling, electronics and digital functionality, and price. Pushed back on its heels, VW is now working to close the gap. They have formed several partnerships with local Chinese companies, such as Xpeng Motors and Contemporary Amperex Technologies Limited (CATL). As important as the partnerships is the adaptation to working with the Chinese culture and adapting its strengths in rapid automotive development. The Auto Ethnographer explores the situation, the solutions, and the direction that things are taking for Volkswagen. The jury is still out on the long term but the results of deep cultural changes and ways of working seem to be bearing fruit. For more information on The Auto Ethnographer, visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Be sure to follow on social media as well for more frequent updates and "Unusual cars in unusual places", featured on Instagram and LinkedIn. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer See also the related site of Shiftgate Consulting LLC, the consulting arm of The Auto Ethnographer at https://www.shiftgate.consulting [https://www.shiftgate.consulting/] #volkswagen #vw #chinarising #expatliving #cultureshock

Two weeks ago John Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, traveled from Bangkok to the Philippines to visit his wife's family. Together with them, we traveled from Manila to the center of Luzon and then to La Union on the northwest corner of the island. There was much to see but one thing was a constant: the hard working Jeepney. This episode focuses on that Filipino icon. Jeepney's are unique to the Philippines. They originated from the Willys military Jeep, thousands of which were left behind by the United States Army at the end of World War 2. These vehicles were modified by lengthening their wheelbase, adding long benches in the bed, covering the seating with a roof, and then customizing them by the owner. The result is the wildly colorful Jeepney, a rolling mural, a cultural icon on Filipino roads. Each is unique in style, in color, and in expression. Emblazoned with the owner's name over the windshield, and the route and destination under the windshield, riders know immediately which Jeepney to take. Passengers are wide-ranging from students to office workers to laborers, and even tourists. Whether passengers sit inside, or stand on the rear bumper platform, there is always space for one more. Luggage? On the roof. These versatile vehicles get everyone and everything where they need to go. The Auto Ethnographer shares what he saw, his impressions, and what he learned about the humble, yet mighty, Jeepney during his five days on the island. The Auto Ethnographer features a daily post of Unusual Cars in Unusual Places on the podcast's Instagram and Facebook. Links below. https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 For further information on the Auto Ethnographer, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Also follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer Keep on driving! #jeepney #philippines #cultureshock #expatlife #workabroad #jeep

In Part 3 of a 4-part series, Grace Mou, Chinese trend forecaster and brand strategist, explains why Chinese consumers are flocking to Chinese automotive brands, especially electric vehicles. Together with Auto Ethnographer host, John Stech, she discusses consumer mindset. Chinese consumers compare styling, technology, price, and features to arrive at a purchase decision. Grace clarifies what does and does not drive their decision-making process. She explains her own experience with a family member's Changan Avatr 11 EV, a car which was purchased to replace previous Fords that the family owned. Her impressions mirror those of many other Chinese consumers. Grace also addresses vehicle charging, its availability and the advancements of technology towards charging speed. All factors point towards ever greater EV adoption in China where sales already exceed 50% share. As fast as the Chinese automotive and EV brands are rising, Grace identifies one soft spot. The relentless investment in technology, engineering, and in the current price war in China has diverted budget and attention from brand building. How will this impact these brands in their home market and abroad? Grace addresses this topic. You can read Grace Mou's weekly blog with further Chinese culture and branding insights here https://www.grace-creativity.com/blog. You can also follow Grace Mou on Substack at https://substack.com/@trendculturebrand To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer, visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] You can also follow on Instagram or Facebook for a daily "Unusual Cars in Unusual Places" post. For Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ For Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364

In Part 2 of a 4-part series, Grace Mou, Chinese trend forecaster and brand strategist, explains how China has emerged from its past of copycatting foreign goods and brands, and is now rapidly advancing its own innovation. Together with Auto Ethnographer host, John Stech, she discusses the so-called soft power of Chinese brands and the increase in their global export. Grace explores the rise of the Labubu brand under PopMart, saying clearly that it is not a toy company but an intellectual property (IP) company. The nine-toothed creatures have taken over collectors' hearts around the world thanks to sightings of many celebrities sporting them on their backpacks and handbags. Next, she shines light on the internationally popular vertical dramas. These short 5-6 minute videos are part of a 50-60 part series watched on the phone in portrait position, hence the "vertical drama" name. Developed during the pandemic period as a form of advertisement, they quickly developed into an entertainment medium of their own. Lastly, we cover the "instant commerce war", a name given to Chinese hyper-advanced on-line shopping where convenience is the master. A consumer sees something, clicks, and thirty minutes later there is a knock on the door by the delivery person. This convenience does bring a danger of overspending, something that budget-wary Chinese consumers must keep in mind. These are just three examples where China's innovation is leading the world and is driving demand beyond its borders. This thirty-minute episode scratches the surface of this development but promises to open eyes about the speed and direction of innovation. You can read Grace Mou's weekly blog with further culture insights here https://www.grace-creativity.com/blog. You can also follow Grace Mou on Substack at https://substack.com/@trendculturebrand To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer, visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] You can also follow on Instagram or Facebook for a daily "Unusual Cars in Unusual Places" post. For Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/] click here. For Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364] click here. 

Grace Mou joins host John Stech on this week's Auto Ethnographer Podcast for the first of a four-part series on the Chinese market, marketing, branding, and trend forecasting. She helps to unravel the current consumer sentiment in China, the world's largest consumer market. With a background in marketing and branding as a strategist and researcher, Grace Mou has honed her forecasting skills to determine which trends lie ahead in the Chinese consumer market. Currently working as an independent brand strategy consultant, she has worked at several marketing and branding agencies including Dongdao Brand Design & Consulting, Yang Design, Cowan, Kantar Millward Brown, and Agility Research & Strategy. In this episode we address the following: Which sectors of goods will prevail? Are consumers prepared to pay for quality goods? Will future market develop remain in mega-cities or transition to rural China? These are questions that Grace studies and she shares her thoughts on today's episode. She explains the current hesitancy of consumers to spend money, favoring instead to save their earnings during uncertain times. Grace also identifies a trend of consumers shifting preference to services and experiences, as opposed to physical goods. Travel is currently a hot ticket item for the consumer. Grace also explains the "religion of money" which she compares to being "money gene" in Chinese consumers. There is a focus on wealth and prosperity, something which has helped fuel the rapid rise of the Chinese consumer economy over the past twenty years. But something is different now. Grace dives into these topics and more during the conversation. You can read Grace Mou's weekly blog with further culture insights here https://www.grace-creativity.com/blog. You can also follow Grace Mou on Substack at https://substack.com/@trendculturebrand To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer, visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Follow on Instagram for a daily dose of unusual cars in unusual places at https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/

Philipp Schiemer is equally comfortable leading a dealer meeting at Mercedes-Benz Brasil or driving a cutting-edge performance car around the track at Mercedes-AMG. And it's no wonder because he has been CEO of both companies. This week's Auto Ethnographer podcast, with host John Stech, features Philipp Schiemer, a highly adaptable German automotive executive. Philipp spent a combined twenty years in Brazil over the course of three separate work assignments, the final 7-year stint as CEO of Mercedes-Benz Brasil. With a base in the Spanish language, Philipp quickly mastered Portuguese, a skill that would allow him to connect to employees and business partners alike. Beyond the language, Philipp understood the nuances of the Brazilian culture – taking decisions, negotiations, time culture, and the importance of selecting a futbol team! Over the course of his three assignments in Brazil, he faced numerous challenges from economic turbulence to the carveout of Chrysler from the DaimlerChrysler organization to the implementation of strict compliance rules (driven by Sarbanes-Oxley) on a continent that was known for questionable adherence to corruption rules. Each challenge brought learnings. The final pinnacle of Philipp's career, prior to recent retirement, was to sit at the helm of the legendary Mercedes-AMG GmbH. This vaunted producer of high-performance cars for road and track demanded a fast-moving, decisive, and flexible leader. His experience in Brazil had trained Philipp well for this role and he excelled in the role despite starting the job at the peak of Covid shutdowns. Join us today in the discussion and learn some insights on what it takes to lead in Brazil and what it means to lead one of the most aspired-to automotive brands in the world. For additional information on The Auto Ethnographer, visit the homepage at https://www.Auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Follow the channel on Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ] here.  Get your daily dose of unusual cars in unusual places on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/] or Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364]. 

Tim Bravo, Director of Communications at Automobili Lamborghini, joins John Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, to discuss how his mixed German-Spanish heritage boosted his career opportunities. Tim has worked with an enviable list of automotive brands from SEAT to Porsche to Bugatti and, ultimately, to Lamborghini. He was born in Germany but he moved with his family to Barcelona at an early age. Although his father is of Spanish descent, Spanish was not spoken in the household. Tim took things into his own hands and learned both Spanish and Catalan on the streets of Barcelona through his friends even as he attended a German school. Sixteen years after having returned to Germany to finish his primary school education and university, fate brought him back to Barcelona. A fortuitous connection to the SEAT Communications Department led to a job offer and several years working with the iconic Spanish brand owned by the Volkswagen Group. Fate took another twist that brought Tim to Porsche's communications group in the brand's Stuttgart home. But soon thereafter, the company leveraged Tim's communications expertise and language skills in Porsche Cars Latin America, based in Miami. From here he would manage brand communications across South and Central America plus the Caribbean. Still in the Volkswagen Group's orbit, Tim's next stop was in France with the super-premium Bugatti brand which then led directly to Sant' Agata, Italy and his current role with Lamborghini. Through all of this Tim approached life with humility and authenticity, never diverging from his own upbringing and persona. He views life and fate in a clear, open-eyed manner, always knowing that curveballs will be thrown. And he is ready for them. In this podcast Tim shares the story of his upbringing in two countries, his heritage, his career, and his approach to life lived in cultures not his own. It is informative and deeply inspiring. To learn more about the Auto Ethnographer and for links to all podcast platforms, follow the link to the homepage. https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Check out our Instagram here [https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/].  Check out our YouTube Channel here [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ]. 

Six Months. 27 Episodes. Listeners from 38 Countries. The Auto Ethnographer podcast is officially six months old and what a global journey it's been. From Mercedes-Benz to McLaren, Toyota to VinFast, our guests have shared stories from Mexico to Malaysia, Sweden to Saudi Arabia, exploring how culture shapes the way we move, market, and make meaning. We've featured voices from inside Porsche, Volvo, Aston Martin, Land Rover, and more with each one revealing what it's like to work across borders, brands, and belief systems. And we're just getting started. Coming soon: Lamborghini, Mercedes-AMG, and a deep dive into Chinese branding and cultural trends. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads for daily snapshots of unusual cars in unusual places. 🎧 Listen. Reflect. Drive differently. But keep on driving! Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer

On this week's episode of The Auto Ethnographer, host John Stech speaks with Jess Bala, Managing Director of General Motors Australia & New Zealand. The native Australian speaks about her experiences working for GM in both Australia and at the company's headquarters in Detroit, half a world away. Jess is currently launching the Cadillac brand as an EV-only brand Down Under. And she is uniquely qualified to do this. She has 13 years of product planning experience with GM, starting with the Australian Holden brand and ending as Director of Cadillac Product Planning & Product Marketing in Detroit prior to her return to Australia. She truly knows the brand, the product, and its targeted consumers. Rounding out her product planning experience, Jess also served as Chief of Staff in GM CEO Mary Barra's office. Here she learned global lessons about the company and the auto industry as a whole, lessons she would take back and leverage in her current role as Australia & New Zealand's Managing Director. She shares some keen insights on Australians and Americans, their similarities and differences. Though fairly similar, not only in language, there are key differences that set them apart. Learn more about the Auto Ethnographer podcast at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Follow on Instagram for a daily dose of unusual vehicles spotted in unusual places – the intersection of cars and culture.  https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/

Raise your hand if you have ever gone through the visa process for either travel or moving abroad. Then you know how it feels to fill in endless forms, sit in soul-draining beige waiting rooms, wait for your number to be called, and finally, finally receive your visa. This week the Auto Ethnographer does a humorous take on the visa process. Hopefully you chuckle, because the other option is crying. John Stech, host of the Auto Ethnographer summarizes his experiences into a humorous account of visa obtainment based on experience in Egypt, Russia, Brazil, Thailand, and many others. As diverse as countries and cultures are, it seems that visa agents worldwide conspired to align themselves and make a bureaucratic slog of it across the planet. Here's a 10 minute summary. Perhaps you will learn something. Perhaps you will laugh. Or perhaps you will put your head back in your hands while you listen to this in a consular office. To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer podcast you can visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364

Time. Most of us would argue that we do not have enough of it. We want more. Yet every culture uses available time in a completely different way. This week, John Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, speaks about the meaning of time across different cultures. He looks at the "time is money" philosophy of the Americans, the "punctuality is a virtue" culture of northern Europe, the "espresso culture" of southern Europe, the "mañana means maybe" culture of Latin America, and dives into a comparison of "zen versus zoom" when comparing the time cultures of Southeast and East Asian countries. He also looks at the Russian time culture, often held captive by the endless flow of stopped traffic in Moscow. John blends personal insights from his work and living experiences together with some humor to portray how each culture uses and prioritizes its time. He ultimately concludes that it boils down to prioritizing four points: efficiency, relationships, harmony, or spontaneity. Each culture will be identified by which of these it chooses to pursue as Priority #1. And how we must understand and appreciate that others will see time in a different way as we. To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] You can also follow on Instagram and Facebook: FB page:   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 IG page:   https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/

John Stech draws on his experience working with Germans, Swedes, Thais, Americans, and Vietnamese to examine the summer holiday sun culture of each. Every culture has a different attitude towards taking vacation. Stay connected or completely disconnect? One week or six? Sit in the sun or stay in the shade? John will take a humorous approach to the Thai, German, American, Vietnamese, and Swedish attitudes to taking it easy. In a fun twist, John hosts a "parade", an examination of summertime stereotypes just to find humor in how each spend their summertime in the sun (or out of it). With stereotypes having a kernel of truth to them, this is a lighthearted look at the summer vacationer. Whether you listen to this on a beach, in the sun, under an umbrella, or in the cool sanctuary of an air-conditioned shopping mall, The Auto Ethnographer wishes you a wonderful summer and restful days. To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer podcast, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/]

This week on The Auto Ethnographer podcast, host John Stech ruminates on the homecoming phase for expats. You may think the hardest part of a foreign assignment is moving overseas and getting to learn a new culture and new language. John argues that the most challenging part is coming back to your home country. John lived overseas with his family for eight years, starting when his children were quite young. By the time they returned home, the children barely remembered having lived in the United States. John relives some of his adventures in Egypt and Russia, setting the stage for examining the difficulties of settling back into his home culture. While living overseas with family you are immersed in learning, in challenge, in adaptation. You have to learn about a new culture which is all around you in your host country if you want to have a well-rounded overseas experience. Every day brings learnings, challenges, and adventures. In the meantime, back in your home country, in your hometown, life goes on like normal. People have adapted to you being gone. And they continue their lives with focus on their everyday activities. Once the overseas assignment or living concludes and you pack your belongings and head home, you may be surprised at the indifference that people display towards the wonderful adventures you've just had. You've also adjusted to living in a different culture that may then require readjustment to living back home. This episode examines those feelings and emotions. John also shares how his family coped with the return to the United States and what they did to remain connected in some way with their international experience. If you find the conversation riveting, and perhaps even a bit reminiscent of what you have gone through, please leave your comments on the homepage at www.auto-ethnographer.com [http://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] If you give permission to The Auto Ethnographer to talk about your feedback, using only First Name and Country, on a future podcast, your feedback will be included in a future conversation. Or leave your comments on the YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrD6CPH0KXdKrIRBnTHpuQ

This episode tackles ageism a growing issue across the globe. Along with two distinguished human resources experts, Auto Ethnographer host John Stech takes on the topic of age discrimination in the context of the American and Vietnamese cultures. Discussing that today are Tamica Sears, The Corporate Fixer and Founder of Sears Coaching, a human resources consulting agency. She has built her vast experience working with Fortune 500 companies including Raytheon and Gannett, among others. Tamica is also the author of management book, How to tell if you're an A**hole Boss. Learn more about the book here: https://a.co/d/93hOqnU Joining Tamica is Kelvin Nguyen, an experienced corporate recruiter, member of VinGroup's (Vietnam's largest private company) talent team, and Co-Founder of Pharaon, a premier lifestyle management service that helps high-performing individuals and executives reclaim their time and enhance their day-to-day lives. We start the conversation by defining what ageism means within each nation's culture. Thanks to Hollywood, the fashion industry, and social media, American culture has an obsession with youth. Stereotypes lead to considering grey-haired people as dinosaurs and of less value in the workplace. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, a combination of Buddhist and Confucian influences combine to place veneration on age and experience. But mindsets are changing rapidly as technology evolves. In America the situation is rapidly becoming more ominous for workers of age. Meanwhile, in Vietnam, long-held cultural values are under pressure from fast-evolving technology. Tamica, Kelvin, and John explore these mindsets, the current situation in each nation, and future expectations in a 45-minute conversation. You can learn more about Tamica Sears and Sears Consulting at http://www.thecorporatefixers.com/ You can learn more about Kelvin Nguyen's Pharaon at https://pharaon.vn [https://pharaon.vn/] Follow The Auto Ethnographer's homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/]

This China-focused episode was born when pulling on the red thread connecting four prior episodes with elements of that nation's automotive rise. This time, host John Stech stitches together the story of China's rise in the automotive industry from the humble beginning to the current achievement of largest automotive market and biggest net exporter of cars using the words of experts that have worked there. . Drawing on insights previously shared by Dr. Susanne Lehmann (Volkswagen Malaysia), Dr. Helmut Grösser (Mercedes-Benz), Benny Oeyen (Automobility, previously GM Shanghai), and Gianfranco Pizzuto, CEO Automobili Estrema, the individual elements of their stories were woven together into a flowing tale. It begins with an auto industry that was in an infant stage, starved for manufacturing, logistics, and technology knowledge. It follows through to explore how traditional automakers were forced to adapt their products for Chinese consumers. The tale takes a twist when the alarm was sounded a decade ago that the Chinese automakers would eventually rise up as a threat. The episode also examines the culture in China and what makes it so able to learn and move quickly in adaptation. Finally, there is a word of advice shared by one of the experts, Gianfranco Pizzuto, one which may surprise some. There is no question about the rise of China in the automotive industry. This podcast episode just scratches the surface on the many issues and factors that led to this point. However, it is a great starting point to continue learning about the greatest competitor the automotive industry has faced to date. To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer please visit the website at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Dr. Susanne Lehmann. Volkswagen Malaysia  https://www.volkswagen.com.my/ Dr. Helmut Grösser. Mercedes Benz AG   https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/ Benny Oeyen. Automobility Ltd.  https://automobility.io/ Gianfranco Pizzuto. Automobili Estrema  https://fulminea.com/

This week's guest on The Auto Ethnographer Podcast is Adi Bathla, CEO and Co-Founder of Revv, a company that merges car repair with artificial intelligence. Together with host John Stech they trace Adi's origin story from humble beginnings in India to the current success of an entrepreneur recognized on the Forbes 30 under 30 list. Born and raised in Northern India Adi excelled in school and harbored an intense curiosity that led him to learn at a speed outpacing other students his age. He eventually participated in an American NASA space tech competition, which he and his team ended up winning. The NASA competition victory connected Adi to Brown University which offered him a spot in its student body. Young, straight off the plane from India with a one-way ticket, Adi plugged into the university community and beyond. He created and built software solutions for various organizations while simultaneously studying for his degree. On graduating, Adi worked in a series of high-growth start-ups putting him in close proximity to visionary CEOs and other leaders. We one foot rooted in his humble origins and the other planted in raw ambition, Adi soaked in all the learnings he could, both from successes and failures. But it was only when he visited his extended family's automotive workshop business that inspiration truly struck. What he found was a business built on paper and workflows that contained a lot of walking around with that paper. The lightbulb ignited and Adi had a vision for digitizing an old-school business, bringing it up to the most modern standard. He visited many other workshops to understand the pain points and problems then set off developing the basis of what would become Revv. Revv offers an AI product which allows independent workshops, those that often fix many different brands, to repair even the most complex new vehicles, bristling with sensors and cameras, in an effective and safe way. Revv developed a system that served up repair information, calibration settings, and manufacturer instructions for hundreds of car models. What used to take days, weeks, or even months, or was simply overlooked, was now at the fingertips of small workshops. Even the smallest shop could now repair and recalibrate the Automated Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors that are found on 94% of vehicles on American roads. Throughout this journey, Adi kept his cultural heritage derived from his parental upbringing "on the passenger seat". He never let go of the cultural guidance instilled in him and leverages the wise words his parents said to him while working with the diverse Revv team. This episode traces that story and uncovers the culture that made Adi Bathla, how he leveraged it while pursuing his passions, and where it will continue to take him. If you are interested in learning more about Revv and its AI products, please visit https://www.revvhq.com [https://www.revvhq.com/] To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer Podcast, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/]

Last week the Auto Ethnographer, John Jörn Stech, attended the 10th International Electric Vehicle Technology Conference & Exhibition combined with MobilityTech Asia 2025. The conference happened to be aligned in the same week that the American Houses of Congress passed legislation that effectively killed public funding and support for electric vehicles and renewable energy initiatives. The stark contrast between Thailand's push on the accelerator and America's stomp on the brake pedal are in focus today. But the lens through which the topic will be dressed is not so much political as it is society and culture. The Thai and American cultures are extremely different. While Thailand is rooted deeply in Buddhism, and to a lesser degree Confucianism, which promotes a communal approach to addressing societal problems, American culture is individualistic, "everyone out for themselves". The Auto Ethnographer takes a look into Buddhism's teachings and how they apply to renewable energy, electric vehicles, and the daunting task of combatting climate change. How do Thais employ those teachings to live a more harmonious communal life in Thai society? Meanwhile, in the United States, individualism rules the day on electric vehicle adoption, the shift towards renewable energy, and on climate change, a topic that stirs debate on its very existence to this day. John also discusses how past victories against pollution in the USA have rendered relatively clean air and water in the current day. This is in stark comparison to the 1960s and 1970s when environmental regulation was just getting started. With the air "looking" clean and carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming being invisible, it is easy to fall into the trap that there is no problem. Can't see it? No problem then. Contrast that to Thailand which continues to struggle with urban air and water quality. The problem is literally visible. So while Thais unite to conquer the pollution particulates, the PM 2.5 matter, they can simultaneously fight carbon dioxide through use of cleaner vehicles and energy production. The iEVTech 2025 conference & exhibition was the impetus for this comparison. It was a show highlighted by two dozen speakers and dozens of international companies highlighting their EV, solar, energy storage, and related products. China, South Korea, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, and other nations were represented in technology clusters. The United States was absent, a point not missed by the Auto Ethnographer and the cause for much contemplation of this topic for today's podcast. To learn more about The Auto Ethnographer, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/]