Publication of “The odyssey of Spring History and lessons of an impossible project

This book traces the history, from its genesis to its commercialization, of an inexpensive electric car, two characteristics that seemed incompatible until now. But beyond a singular adventure, the story of this project allows us to understand, better than abstract and general speeches, key issues of contemporary strategy and management:

• A lesson in strategy, which shows the complexity of an international growth trajectory.
• A lesson in project management, which analyzes the success of a collaboration between five partners in four different countries.A lesson in innovation, demonstrating that the electrification of mobility can be combined with affordable prices.
• A lesson in industrial policy, which shows, contrary to popular belief, the major role of public authorities in the technological trajectories of companies and therefore the central issues of industrial policies in the competition between Europe and China in particular.
• A lesson in intrapreneurship that shows that the start-up is not the only context where it is possible to try and live adventures.Christophe Midler is Director of Research Emeritus CNRS, CRG-I3 of the Ecole Polytechnique.

Christophe Midler is Director of Research Emeritus CNRS, CRG-I3 of the Ecole Polytechnique.            

Marc Alochet is an associate researcher at CRG-I3 of the Ecole Polytechnique.

Christophe de Charentenay manages M@Air, a company specialized in low-carbon mobility in Europe and Asia. He previously chaired eGT, the electric car joint venture between Renault Nissan and Dongfeng. 

Back to the list