We were greeted with the warm hospitality of the University of Augsburg. During our visit, we had the opportunity to hear Will Wilkes speak about the current state and future of Germany’s automotive industry. I found his presentation both impressive and highly engaging. He highlighted the significant gap between the Asian and German electric vehicle industries. This was a point I found particularly relatable, as I had visited a Hyundai plant in Seoul, South Korea, last year. The facility was remarkably efficient, with highly streamlined and automated operations. However, despite Korea’s advancements, one of its key competitors—China—currently leads the global EV market in terms of cost allocation. For example, BYD’s electric vehicles are priced at about half the cost of German EVs. This is because China’s ability to have the most efficient means of production.

After Wilkes’ talk, we toured the university and gave our introductory presentations on the companies we were assigned. I presented on Grob-Werke, a German company specializing in the production of additive manufacturing equipment. Essentially, they manufacture machines that other companies use in their own production processes. One of my favorite aspects of the Plus3 program is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and interact with German students. I really enjoyed talking with the students in my group about the major differences between German and American life—especially in areas like education systems, media consumption, and politics.