Interview with Nils Büring

"Understanding Mobility as a Service, not a Product"

Electromobility, digitalization, and new usage models are forcing profound changes in the mobility industry. For vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) and service providers, it is no longer enough to simply develop products. The focus is on holistic mobility ecosystems, where IT, data, and partnerships play a central role.

Norderstedt, January 13, 2026 — What factors are crucial for the transformation, and what role can AI play? Nils Büring, Head of Mobility at Lufthansa Industry Solutions, explains what matters now and how artificial intelligence (AI) can help.

Nils, how do you assess the current situation in the automotive and mobility sector?

We are experiencing a phase of overlapping transformations. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are under pressure to innovate and reduce costs while mobility habits are simultaneously changing. This is particularly true in cities, but also increasingly in rural areas. Users expect simple, connected, and sustainable offerings. This presents an industry-wide challenge.

What role do new forms of mobility, such as car sharing, ride pooling, and car subscriptions, play?

These offerings are evolving from pilot projects into infrastructure components. Today, the focus is on integration. How can shared mobility services be meaningfully combined with public transportation, charging infrastructure, and digital platforms? The future belongs to ecosystems in which mobility is a service, not a product. Networking, real-time data, and interoperability are becoming key factors.

The future belongs to ecosystems in which mobility is a service, not a product.

Nils Büring
Head of Mobility at Lufthansa Industry Solutions

What does this mean for OEMs and their strategic orientation?

They must evolve from product-centric to platform-enabled providers. While the vehicle remains central, its integration into digital, data-based processes is becoming a competitive advantage. Those who are leaders in software updates, charging integration, and AI-supported services can meet new customer needs. Speed, scalability, and innovation are particularly important in global competition, especially with companies from China. It is not enough to simply go with the flow. It's about helping to shape standards.

How does LHIND support companies during this complex phase?

We support our clients at the intersection of technology and organization. Today, many projects revolve around the intelligent use of artificial intelligence in areas such as product development, service forecasting, and data-based process optimization. We work in three areas:

  • Development of digital platforms, including AI-supported analysis models
  • AI and software engineering to automate and personalize functions
  • IT integration that breaks down data silos and enables cross-functional value creation

We also leverage our experience in other industries, such as aviation and logistics. These industries have long focused on real-time capabilities, stability, and smart systems.

What will mobility look like in five years?

 

We are moving toward a hybrid system overall: software-defined vehicles, automated functions, and usage-based tariffs closely interlinked with energy and data infrastructure. User experience, sustainability, and availability are at the forefront. Those who consider mobility holistically, from use cases to IT architecture, will reap the benefits. AI is not an add-on but an integral part of this system.

About Lufthansa Industry Solutions

Lufthansa Industry Solutions is a service provider for IT consulting and system integration. This Lufthansa subsidiary helps its clients with the digital transformation of their companies. Its customer base includes companies both within and outside the Lufthansa Group, as well as more than 300 companies in various lines of business. The company is based in Norderstedt and employs more than 3,000 members of staff at several branch offices in Germany, Albania, Switzerland and the USA.