Florent Herson never envisioned a career in the automotive industry after obtaining his Master’s Degree in Plastic Processing. However, fate had other plans. He was offered a role at Faurecia, an international automotive parts manufacturer in France, and spent the next 20 years managing various projects, business fields, and leadership positions. Today, he is the Asia Pacific Vice President of FORVIA Faurecia ASEAN Group, steering the company’s operations across the region.
The Formation of FORVIA
On January 31, 2022, Faurecia rebranded as FORVIA following its successful acquisition of HELLA. This merger created the world’s seventh-largest automotive technology company for OEMs, boasting 150,000 employees across more than 40 countries.
One in two vehicles in the world is equipped by FORVIA today. In ASEAN, the company supplies parts for Ford, Nissan, VinFast, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Mercedes-Benz, Great Wall, and more.
FORVIA’s key pillars—safety, sustainability, advanced solutions, and customized experiences—drive its innovation. The company focuses on CO₂ reduction, sustainable materials, and advanced depollution systems while integrating automation for superior customer satisfaction at competitive prices.
Staying Competitive in a Rapidly Evolving Industry
The automotive supply industry is highly competitive, with FORVIA facing both global and local rivals. Florent emphasizes agility and adaptability as crucial to sustaining growth.
“You must be agile and reactive to grow,” he asserts. “The industry is transforming at a rapid speed, and it requires adaptation and a unified team to tackle the challenges that come with it.”
FORVIA now comprises six business groups with 24 product lines spanning seating, interiors, clean mobility, electronics, lighting, and lifecycle solutions.
Recognizing the fast-changing trends and demands of the market, Florent ensures that climate change remains at the heart of FORVIA’s strategy. The company is committed to achieving carbon neutrality for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2025 and is investing in a dedicated Sustainable Materials R&D center to develop eco-friendly products.
Building FORVIA’s Presence in Thailand
Florent’s journey in Asia began in 2011 when he was sent to Thailand to establish a new manufacturing plant for Faurecia Interiors. With no initial team, he successfully built the plant from scratch within six months, delivering the company’s first parts for a crucial Ford vehicle launch.
His leadership also led to a key milestone in 2013, when he formed a joint venture with Thailand’s Summit Group. Merging a Thai family-owned management style with a European corporate structure required patience and trust-building. However, the partnership flourished, resulting in Faurecia and Summit Interior Systems Thailand Co Ltd, with its integrated plant later becoming a Best-in-Class operation.
In 2016, Florent spearheaded a vertical integration strategy for Faurecia Interiors to improve quality, reduce costs, and lower CO₂ emissions. The result was a sixfold increase in net profit between 2015 and 2019.
Expanding into Vietnam with VinFast
In 2018, Florent led FORVIA’s entry into Vietnam by securing contracts for VinFast’s first two car interiors.
VinFast had an ambitious goal—launching a new automotive brand within 24 months. Many doubted the feasibility of designing and producing car interiors in just 18 months, but Florent’s leadership turned skepticism into success.
Through strategic collaboration with VinFast’s Chairwoman, CEO, and Faurecia’s ASEAN management team, they created a unique financial and operational model. A team of 13 nationalities was assembled, and VinFast’s interiors entered mass production in record time—faster than any other automaker and supplier worldwide.
This achievement bolstered team morale and led to the establishment of Faurecia’s first subsidiary in Vietnam in 2019.
Strengthening FORVIA ASEAN Amidst the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020, Florent consolidated all FORVIA-Faurecia ASEAN business groups under one leadership, enhancing resilience and agility. This restructuring led to exceptional financial results in 2020 and 2021 while also accelerating the integration of the Japanese company Clarion into the FORVIA Faurecia ecosystem.
Florent Herson’s ability to identify and seize business opportunities, coupled with his expertise in structuring and industrializing them, has made him a dynamic and ambitious leader. His leadership continues to drive FORVIA’s success, fostering innovation and inspiring teams to achieve world-class mobility solutions.
