Company visit to Dallara: insight on leading technologies
13 May 2024In automotive engineering, few companies embody innovation and precision quite like Dallara, which is known for its expertise in lightweight design, aerodynamics, and chassis engineering.
Dallara offers a remarkable glimpse into the future of the automotive industry. During a recent visit to their headquarters, Ibrahim Can Bozkurt, a participant in the Global MBA in Supercars, Superbikes, and Motorsports, had the opportunity to witness firsthand the interplay between theory and practice that has been the cornerstone of his academic journey.
During your visit to Dallara, what aspects of the production or management process did you most recognize that were discussed in the Master’s program? How do you think the classes prepared you to understand these operations better?
Dallara has cutting-edge technology, and it was great to see in person all those processes we’ve been hearing about from various websites and on TV; seeing them was exceptionally special. Comparing what we learned in the new product development program made the journey even more exciting since we could name the process elements and see the production behind the curtain.
What specific skills you acquired in your course do you think are most relevant to understanding and contributing to the industry in your area, also based on today’s visit?
I think understanding a company’s brand values is one of the most important aspects of understanding how a company operates. While our course on Business Strategy for supercar, superbike, and motorsport companies shed light on this subject, I firmly believe it was the New Product Development course that gave a constructive view of how a product is developed and how all the functions of a company are involved in such decisions. With Dallara being an innovative company, I think the most important skill needed is to have an innovative way of thinking.
Having closely observed the technologies and innovations at Dallara, what major technology trends do you believe will dominate the automotive industry in the coming years?
Current trends in the automotive sector include lightweighting, electrification, and connectivity. Visiting Dallara highlighted the lightweighting and chassis design trends. With the Dallara Stradale, in the words of CEO Andrea Pontremoli, it is an exercise in what Dallara can produce. Being powered by a 4-cylinder Ford motor but still being almost as fast as a GT3 car on some circuits is nothing short of impressive.
After visiting Dallara and seeing the practical application of business and technology strategies, how do you imagine your professional future in this industry? Are there particular areas or roles at Dallara or in the broader supercar and motorsport industry that you find particularly interesting or aspirational?
I have always considered myself to be in the marketing area. Visiting a company like Dallara, which is based around innovation and cutting-edge engineering, makes you think about the jobs in motorsport. Being exposed to these aspects fuels the passion inside toward motorsport and being trackside.
How do you think company visits, such as the one to Dallara, enrich your educational experience? What advantages do you think these experiences offer over traditional classroom learning?
One of my favorite aspects of the BBS is combining academic knowledge with practical application. Whether it is through the alter egos we have in lessons or company visits, it is always nice to see what we see in the classroom transform into the real world, as it enables me to understand the subject much better. In this case, I think visiting Dallara created an opportunity to observe the needs required to make a racing car, and even just being in the same environment with all the history and knowledge was an enriching experience.
