GlobalAutoIndustry.com’s latest Audio Interview “Mexico Auto Sales & Production: Winners and Losers” features Thomas Karig, Managing Director of TKonsult. Thomas is a speaker and independent consultant on automotive industry and foreign trade issues, as well as on Governance/ESG system implementation. He teaches Corporate Governance & Integrity at the IESDE School of Management in Puebla, Mexico. Previously he worked for Volkswagen de Mexico in several management positions for 37 years. Most recently, as VP of Corporate Relations and the Compliance Officer. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry, the Association of Mexican Truck Manufacturers, as well as the Mexican-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the last three years serving as Chairman. Thomas sits on the Board of Directors of companies in the auto parts and real estate sectors.
Audio Interview Guest
Mr. Thomas Karig
Managing Director
TKonsult
In the 11-minute Audio Interview, Mr. Karig discusses these questions:
• Most auto markets have not recovered fully from the pandemic (except China…). How did car sales in Mexico do in 2023?
• There are around 40 car brands competing for clients in Mexico today. How are the legacy brands holding up against the newcomers?
• Mexico has maintained its position as the #7 car producing country. How much dynamism is there in terms of production volumes and investments in production facilities?
• What can we expect for 2024? What do the 1st Q figures tell us?
About Thomas Karig:
Managing Director, TKonsult
Thomas Karig holds an Engineering degree in Vehicle Construction and a post graduate degree in Business Administration.
He worked for Volkswagen de Mexico in several management positions for 37 years (07/1980-03/2017). Most recently, he was the VP of Corporate Relations and the Compliance Officer. In this position, which he held for 10 years, he was responsible for government relations, customs and foreign trade agreements, corporate communications, corporate strategy, governance, risk & compliance, and legal affairs.
His expertise in the automotive industry in Mexico includes finance, project management, trade agreement negotiation and application, regulatory issues and lobbying efforts, labor and union relations, production site selection processes and investment incentive negotiations.
He implemented the Governance, Risk and Compliance Management processes at Volkswagen de Mexico including a Code of Conduct, the whistleblower system and the Ethics Committee. He also created the CSR policy of the company, including successful philanthropy programs in the areas of social and environmental care.
Karig was a member of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry for 20 years, interacting with all OEMs and many relevant auto part manufacturers. In the same capacity he participated in the Association of Mexican Truck Manufacturers.
He sat on the Board of Directors of the Mexican-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, for a total of 12 years, the last three serving as Chairman. Other Board memberships were at the Culture Foundation of the German Industry and the German School in Puebla.
Presently, Karig is a speaker and independent consultant on automotive industry and foreign trade issues, as well as on Governance/ESG system implementation. He teaches Corporate Governance & Integrity at the IESDE School of Management in Puebla, Mexico.
Karig sits on the Board of Directors of companies in the auto parts and real estate sectors.
In January 2019 the Cross of Merit was awarded to him by the Federal Republic of Germany.