The Automobile & Mobility Club leads an ever-growing network within the sector. Richard de Cabrol (E14), the Club’s volunteer head, presents its activities.

ESSEC Alumni: What are the missions of your club? 

Richard de Cabrol: The specificity of the car is that its constitutes a recreational activity as much as an industry, both of which are well represented in France. Our mission is thus to offer events open to professionals and car lovers alike, to enable everyone to enjoy their interest, get together with peers, or try out new innovations in the sector.

EA: What role does the ESSEC community play in this sector?

R. de Cabrol: ESSEC draws on the activities of the Armand Peugeot Chair (in French), launched in 2011 in association with CentraleSupélec. The tie which links the two schools in this sector also extends to alumni, and our club teams up on a regular basis with that of our engineering colleagues. These highly positive synergies help to explain why our community is increasingly present in mobility sectors, whether in more technological or softer fields.

EA: What actions does your club lead?

R. de Cabrol: We formed a partnership with other dedicated clubs from major Parisian schools, such as Arts et Métiers, l’X, HEC, INSEAD, ESCP, CentraleSupélec, etc., and we participate together in joint events. We also organise our own events. We try, in particular, to bring all our members to each edition of Arts & Elegance de Chantilly, the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, Retromobile, or the Mondial de l’Auto car show. We’re also hoping to launch regular after-work events in the near future. Lastly, we co-steer the Grand Prix ACF AutoTech every year, which awards and supports the most innovative French and international start-ups in automobile design, manufacture, sale and use.

EA: The 2023 edition has just ended; how did it go? 

R. de Cabrol: You can watch the replay on YouTube. This edition saw 75 competitors from 22 countries. The winners were chosen by the public and a jury panel of 19 key figures. The Grand Prix ACF went to Nodar (USA), which develops advanced driver assistance systems; the ACF Pioneer Prize went to WedoLow (France), which develops eco-design embedded applications, and the GPACF Greentech distinction was awarded to Nelson (France), for their car fleet electrification system. The competition provides enhanced visibility to its winners, in addition to tailor-made financial and legal aid, coaching, contact with decision-makers and key investors, support in the recruitment of developers and administrative assistance for overseas operations, thanks to the guidance of numerous partners.

EA: Who are the members of your team?

R. de Cabrol: Thierry Peugot (E80) presides over the club, and I run it. We’re lucky to be able to rely on a friendly, dedicated and motivated team, who I thank warmly: Sarah Benrached (EXEC M19), Laura Ramia (MBA 17), Victor Martin Bellet (BBA 19), Alexandre Darbois (BBA 13 & M14), Juliette Bugnon (E09), Claire Duthu (E14) and Aurélia Debru (E10). We’re always looking to develop our network, so if you’re located outside of Paris or abroad especially, and you’d like to relay our activities or lead local initiatives, don’t hesitate to contact us!

Interview by Louis Armengaud Wurmser (E10), Content Manager at ESSEC Alumni. 

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