How has the increasing consciousness of climate change and sustainability affected the company and your legal team’s priorities?

Consciousness of climate change and sustainability has always been a priority for Continental and, of course, the automotive industry. As we all know, manufacturers worldwide are making constant efforts to reduce the impact of climate change and other environmental matters. From the legal side, I could say that keeping track of regulatory changes that could contribute to these efforts is always important, and if it is within my capability to push for cleaner energies and other actions that could contribute to these efforts, I will always advocate for such.

Can you tell us a bit more about Continental’s expansion plans into Mexico and your legal team’s role in realising its plans for the region?

Aside from all the constant changes that have happened worldwide with the pandemic, and locally with all the regulatory changes, Continental has kept growing in Mexico and has maintained its investment within our territory. During 2021, a new plant with an investment of €85m, which is intended for 1,000 jobs, was inaugurated at Aguascalientes, with state-of-the-art technology and holding the highest environmental certificates. Other locations, for example in Silao have also continued to grow.

The efforts of the legal team in these projects have been of utmost importance. In the specific case of Aguascalientes, it was a greenfield and the legal department contributed in several different ways, from location scouting, establishing multiple relations with local authorities of different states in order to secure incentive packages, purchasing of land, negotiation and drafting of construction agreements and, finally, the proper documentation of a robust supplier base, which required multiple efforts from the legal team to formalize through multiple kind of agreements. The support that the legal department provides includes relationships with governmental authorities, legal advice, and counsel as a trusted business partner that seeks to maintain Continental’s name both locally and internationally. As for other expansions, the legal department is always involved in the negotiation with property owners and is always trusted to draft the proper documentation to formalize these operations.

In what ways do you see the Continental evolving in your region over the next few years, and how do you see the in-house role growing with it?

The last year has proved that plans can always change, nonetheless, I foresee that Continental will continue to grow in Mexico, as well as worldwide, and I am proud to say that the legal department is always a key team player in this growth. The role of the in-house legal department is always to go beyond, so I believe therefore I must provide not only legal advice, but also business advice. For this reason, it is essential for the legal department to evolve along with the company and apply business acumen that we have acquired over a period of growth with the company. In the 16 years I have been part of the Continental team, I have seen the continual growth of the company by being part of several acquisitions and special projects like mergers, spin offs, and others, and I have witnessed the role of the legal department evolving along with the company, and I hope that it continues that way.