A vehicle built in Africa, for Africa | Joel Jackson

譯者: Lilian Chiu 審譯者: Adrienne Lin

Imagine if your daily commute involved tens of kilometers

想像一下，你每日 要通勤數十公里路，

on these kinds of roads,

且走的是這種路，

driving this kind of vehicle,

開的是這種車，

without any nearby service stations or breakdown assistance.

附近沒有任何服務站或是修理協助。

For millions of drivers in many parts of Africa, this is the norm.

對非洲許多地方的數百萬 駕駛人而言，這很正常。

Since over 90 percent of passenger cars are imported,

因為超過 90% 的客車都是進口的，

often used,

通常是二手的，

they're just not designed for local usage.

它們本來就不是為了 當地的用途而設計。

High import duties often compound the problem,

高進口稅通常會讓問題更惡化，

sometimes doubling the price of a car.

有時候會讓車價到達兩倍。

So most vehicles are either too expensive or too unreliable

所以，對一般消費者來說， 大部份汽車不是太貴

for the average consumer.

就是太不可靠，

Well-designed vehicles are only part of the transport challenge, though.

不過，設計良好的車子 只是交通挑戰的一部份而已。

For every 100 adults in Africa,

在非洲，每一百名成人中，

less than five people actually own a vehicle.

不到五個人真正擁有一台車。

Public transport is available,

有大眾運輸可以用，

and in countries like Kenya, it's often run by local entrepreneurs

在肯亞這類國家，通常是 由當地的企業家經營的，

using minivans like this.

用像這樣的小卡車。

But in most rural and peri-urban areas,

但在大部份的農村和城市外圍地區，

it's fragmented and unreliable.

大眾運輸是不相連且不可靠的。

In more remote areas without transport,

在更偏遠沒有交通工具的地區，

people have to walk, typically tens of kilometers,

人們得要步行， 通常一走就是數十公里，

to get to school or collect clean drinking water

才能到達學校或是取得乾淨飲用水，

or buy supplies from nearby markets.

或是到附近的市場買日用品。

Bad roads, disparate communities, low average income levels

糟糕的道路、完全不同的社區、 低平均收入水平、

and inadequate vehicles

以及不適合的車，

all impair the transport system

都會損害交通系統，

and ultimately constrain economic output.

最終則會限制經濟輸出。

Despite this constraint, the Pan-African economy is booming.

儘管有這限制， 泛非洲的經濟還是在興盛中。

Combined GDP is already over two trillion dollars.

加總起來的 GDP 已超過兩兆美元。

This is a massive commercial and social opportunity,

這是非常大的商業和社會機會，

not a helpless continent.

而不是一塊無助的大陸。

So why isn't there already something better?

所以為什麼還沒有更好的東西出現？

Around the world, automotive is quarter the manufacturing sector.

在全世界，汽車就佔了 製造部門的四分之一。

But in Africa, it's generally been overlooked by carmakers,

但在非洲，汽車製造商 通常都忽略了這一點，

who are focused on larger, established markets

他們把焦點放在已建立的更大市場

and emerging economies like India and China.

及新興的經濟體上，如印度和中國。

This lack of industrialization,

缺乏工業化的現象

which itself creates a vicious-cycle barrier to the emergence of industry,

本身就造成了惡性循環， 阻礙了新興工業，

has caused the dependence on imports.

導致對於進口產生依賴。

There is a supply-demand disconnect,

供應和需求之間的連結斷了，

with the vast majority of automotive spending on the continent today,

現今在這塊大陸上 絕大部份的汽車花費

essentially funding an international network of car exporters

基本上都用來資助 汽車外銷商的國際網路，

instead of fueling the growth of local industry.

而不是刺激當地工業的成長。

It's entirely possible to solve this disconnect, though,

不過，要解決這個連結 斷掉的問題，絕對是可能的，

starting with products that people actually want.

這要從人們真正想要的產品開始。

And this is what motivated me to start Mobius,

這就是我創始 Mobius 的動機，

to build a vehicle in Africa, for Africa.

為了要在非洲、為非洲製造汽車。

To us, this meant reimagining the car around the needs of the consumer,

對我們而言，這意味著要根據 消費者需求來重新想像汽車，

simplifying nonessential features like interior fixtures

把不必要的特色簡化，比如內部配件，

and investing in performance-critical systems like suspension

把錢投資在對效能有重要 影響的系統，如懸吊系統，

to create durable and affordable vehicles

來創造耐用又能負擔的車，

built for purpose.

有目的而打造的車。

And built for purpose is exactly where we started

有目的而打造，正是我們製造

with our first-generation model, Mobius II,

第一代模型「Mobius II」的起始點，

which was designed as a really rugged, low-cost SUV,

它被設計成極堅固耐用 且低成本的運動型休旅車，

able to handle heavy loads and rough terrain reliably.

載重很重，在崎嶇地形上 行駛也很可靠。

This launched in 2015,

這台車在 2015 年推出，

and we've now developed the next-generation version

我們現在已經依客戶回饋意見來調整，

based on customer feedback.

開發了下一代的版本。

For high stress and heavy loading,

針對高應力以及重負載，

we engineered a sturdy steel space frame.

我們設計了堅固的鋼空間結構。

To handle acute vibration from rough roads,

為了處理崎嶇道路造成的劇烈振動，

we ruggedized the suspension.

我們讓懸吊系統更堅固耐用。

For potholes and uneven terrain, high ground clearance was a no-brainer.

針對坑洞和不平坦的地形， 不用想也知道要增加離地高度。

And to make this something customers could actually be proud to drive in,

為了要讓顧客很驕傲 能坐在這台車裡面，

we designed an aspirational body aesthetic.

我們設計了夢寐以求的車體美學。

Underpinning all of this, we simplified or eliminated components

這背後的基礎原理是， 我們把元件給簡化或是除去，

like parking sensors and automatic windows

比如停車感測器以及自動窗，

wherever we could,

我們盡一切可能

to keep costs low

把成本壓低，

and sell this at half the price of a five-year-old SUV in Kenya today.

讓這台車的售價是肯亞現今 五年車齡休旅車售價的一半。

The new --

新的...

(Applause)

（掌聲）

The new Mobius II launches in 2018.

新的 Mobius II 會在 2018 年推出。

And while durable, affordable vehicles like this are vital,

雖然像這樣子耐用 且可負擔的車是很重要的，

a broader solution to immobility needs to go further.

但針對低行動力的解決方案 還需要再進一步。

Over the last decade,

在過去十年，

a transport-centric, shared economy has connected people across Africa

以交通為中心的共享經濟 將非洲各地的人用小卡車、

with minivans, auto rickshaws and sedans.

自動三輪車、轎車給連結在一起。

It's just not operated very effectively or efficiently.

只是在運作上並非很有效益或效率。

Enabling better access to transport is all about strengthening

要讓交通更容易使用，

重點在於強化大眾運輸網路，

this public transit network,

empowering local entrepreneurs who already offer similar services

授權給已經在自己的社區內 提供類似服務的當地企業家，

in their communities

to operate these services more profitably and more widely.

能用更能獲利且更廣範圍的方式 經營這些服務。

With this aim, we're taking human-centered design a step further

為此目標，我們讓以人 為中心的設計再上一層樓，

and developing a transport platform model,

開發了一個運輸平台模型，

which enables owners to plug in different modules,

它讓車主能夠選用不同的模組，

like a goods cage or ambulance unit,

比如貨物籠或救護車套件，

and run other services like goods delivery or medical transport,

就可以經營其他服務， 比如送貨或醫療運輸，

as well as public transport.

還有大眾運輸。

Transportation services like this are the fundamental driver

像這樣子的交通服務 是基本的驅動因子，

of logistics, trade, social services,

推動著物流、貿易、社會服務、

access to education, health care and employment.

教育機會、健康照護及就業。

The transportation grid to physical economies

實體經濟的交通網

is akin to the internet to virtual economies.

就類似虛擬經濟的網際網路。

And the impact of increased mobility is only part of the potential here.

行動力增加的影響， 只是潛力的一部份而已。

Since the late 1700s, the Industrial Revolution has catapulted

從十八世紀後期開始，

工業革命讓全世界的經濟發展起飛，

the development of economies around the world

into thriving societies.

成為興旺的社會。

Today, manufacturing is still the engine of economic growth and stability,

現今，製造仍然是經濟成長 和穩定背後的引擎，

even as new technologies have inevitably transformed the way we live.

即使新科技已經無可避免地 轉變了我們的生活方式。

Making stuff is important,

做東西是很重要的，

especially for nation-states wanting to boost employment,

對於想要推動就業、增加技能、

increase skills and reduce import dependence.

減少對進口依賴的國家而言更是如此。

But while few countries can skip this industrialized stage,

雖然少數國家可以跳過這個工業化階段，

many have negligible manufacturing output.

許多國家的製造輸出是微乎其微。

There are various reasons for this,

這背後的原因很多，

but one reason is universal: hardware is hard.

但有一個原因是普遍的： 硬體很硬（難搞）。

(Laughter)

（笑聲）

So what are the challenges to industry, and how are we approaching them?

所以，對工業面對的挑戰是什麼？ 我們要如何對付它們？

The first issue many people think of is a lack of skilled labor.

人們會先想到的議題是 缺乏有技能的勞工。

In areas where access to good primary and secondary education are limited

能有機會接受初等教育 和中等教育的地區有限，

and employment opportunities are scarce,

就業機會很稀少，

a small skill base is inevitable.

有技能的人很少是必然的。

But that doesn't mean it's immutable.

但不表示這點無法改變。

There's an abundance of smart, hardworking and ambitious people in Africa,

在非洲有很多聰明、 努力、有野心的人，

obviously.

很顯而易見。

What's really lacking are good jobs

真正缺乏的是好工作，

that offer a path not just to employment but also professional growth.

不只是就業機會， 還能提供專業成長的工作。

The first person we employed at Mobius over six years ago

至少六年前，我們在 Mobius 僱用的第一個人

was a mechanic named Kazungu.

是一位機械工，名叫卡宗古。

Kazungu had gone to school up to the age of 18

卡宗古在學校唸書唸到十八歲，

and worked as an odd-job mechanic.

在做打零工的機械工。

Joining the company at the time was a near-vertical learning curve.

那時，加入我們公司， 是條接近垂直的學習曲線。

But he rose to the challenge,

但他成功面對挑戰，

and with more technical guidance from an expanding engineering team,

有著不斷擴大的工程團隊 給他更多技術指導，

he's grown over the years

這些年來，他成長到能

to lead a group of mechanics in R&D prototyping.

領導一群機械工做研發的樣機開發。

A thirst for learning and the work ethic to step up to a challenge

對於學習的渴望以及 面對挑戰的工作倫理

是我們徵才時重視的特質。

are values we now recruit on.

Pairing innate values like this with on-the-job training and systems

把像這樣的固有價值， 搭配在職訓練和系統，

就能強化我們的技能基礎。

has strengthened our skill base.

This works really well on the production line,

這在生產線上很成功，

where work can be systematized around clear procedural instructions

在生產線上，工作可以被系統化， 成為清楚的程序步驟指示，

and then reinforced through training.

接著透過教育訓練來強化。

In our experience, it is possible to build a skilled workforce,

根據我們的經驗， 建立有技能的勞動力是有可能的，

and we plan to hire hundreds more people using this approach.

我們打算用這個方法再僱用數百人。

A second challenge is a lack of suppliers.

第二項挑戰，是缺乏供應商。

In countries like Kenya, there are only a handful of automotive suppliers

像肯亞這種國家， 只有少數的汽車供應商

manufacturing parts like electrical harnesses, seats and glass.

會製造像是電線、座椅、玻璃等零件。

It's a burgeoning group,

它還在發展中，

and without much demand from industry,

且來自工業的需求並不大，

most of these suppliers have no impetus to grow.

這些供應商大多沒有動力想要成長。

We've worked hard with a few of them to develop the capacity

我們很努力和其中幾家 合作來開發生產力，

to consistently manufacture components at the quality levels we need,

能夠穩定地製造元件， 保持我們要求的品質水準，

like this supplier in Nairobi,

像這間在奈洛比的供應商，

who are helping to reduce the production cost of metal brackets

他們協助降低金屬托架的生產成本，

and improve their ability to build conformant parts

並改善他們的能力， 根據我們的工程草圖

to our engineering drawings.

來建立更舒適的零件。

Supply and development is standard practice in automotive globally,

在全球，供應和發展 都是汽車業的標準做法，

but it needs to be applied from the ground up

但它需要從基礎向上，

with a vast majority of local suppliers

要有大量的當地供應商，

to properly bolster the ecosystem.

才能妥善支撐這個生態系統。

And as production volumes rise, these suppliers can employ more staff,

隨著生產量增加， 這些供應商就能僱用更多員工，

invest in better equipment

投資更好的設備，

and continue to develop new manufacturing techniques

並持續開發新的製造技術，

to further increase output.

讓輸出能進一步提升。

Building up skills and suppliers are not the only hurdles

建立技能以及供應商 並非當地工業化的唯一阻礙，

to local industrialization,

but they're good examples of how we think about the challenge.

但它們是很好的例子， 來說明我們如何看待挑戰。

You see, we're not just reimagining the car,

我們並不只是在重新思考車子，

we're reimagining our entire value chain.

我們是在重新思考整個價值鏈。

None of this has been easy,

這一切都不容易，

and we're only just getting started.

且我們才剛開始。

But once African industry starts to scale,

但，一旦非洲工業開始有規模，

the potential is huge.

潛力就非常大。

Better products,

更好的產品，

costing less,

成本更低，

built locally,

當地打造，

together creating millions of jobs.

加在一起能創造出百萬個工作機會。

Frugal innovation offers a path to economic acceleration

節儉式創新為經濟增長提供了一條路，

across many industries,

橫跨許多產業，

and the future of this continent depends on it.

這塊大陸的未來要仰賴它。

The Africa 2.0 I believe in can apply locally relevant design

我所相信的非洲 2.0，能夠 應用對當地有重大意義的設計，

and a commitment to solving its industrial challenges

並承諾解決它的工業挑戰，

to create a more connected, more prosperous future,

以創造出更緊密連結、 更繁榮的未來，

not just for the privileged few,

不只是為了少數有特權的人，

but for everyone.

而是為了每個人。

Thank you.

謝謝。

(Applause)

（掌聲）