Peter Kuhn
For nearly three decades, Peter Kuhn has dedicated himself to the automotive industry and has carved out a niche not in the glamorous world of sports cars but in the unsung world of commercial vehicles.
Having previously worked for German automotive manufacturing giant Opel, Peter has helped shape the commercial vehicle landscape, blending a deep technical knowledge with a lifelong fascination for machines.
From vans that deliver goods across cities to trucks engineered for durability and efficiency, he has found purpose and satisfaction in working with vehicles that offer versatility and serve vital roles in society.
“When it comes to the automotive industry, people often think you want to get into it so you can work with sports cars, but I actually like the versatility of commercial vehicles,” said Peter, who is now General Manager for Commercial Vehicles at Rightech.
With a degree in construction and automobile technology, Peter started his career with Opel in its Commercial vehicle division, and organised the commercial launch of electric utility vehicles in Europe.
His roles for the firm ranged from product management for multiple vehicle lines – including the Vivaro and Movano – to overseeing the entire light commercial vehicle (LCV) portfolio.
“I spent nearly three decades at Opel, shaping commercial vehicles from initial product planning all the way through to launch and post-launch support. It was a comprehensive journey that gave me insight into every stage of a vehicle’s lifecycle,” said Peter.
“Working in the LCV business, it meant handling a diverse portfolio, from small vans to hydrogen-powered vehicles. It was fascinating to help bring these vehicles to market and see them serve such versatile roles.
“There are endless things that you can do with a van and truck. A van can be a van, a tipper, a box body, a fridge van, a camper, or a minibus.”
In 2023, Peter decided to join Rightech’s sister company Wrightbus, which is renowned for its sustainable electric and hydrogen buses.
It was an exciting step fueled by both his industry connections and his lifelong fascination with buses.
“I thought it was now or never,” said Peter. “Wrightbus was looking for someone who is experienced with commercial vehicles, and that’s what I am!
“I’m fascinated by big vehicles like buses. When I was a kid, my dream job was actually to be a bus driver.
“Not one that drives around in places like London or Berlin, but one that takes a crowd of people on a vacation when they are in a good mood, and you get to see some interesting places.
“There’s so much technology in these vehicles, and they are so robust and super-efficient. Instead of having 50 cars on the road, you can have 50 people sitting in one vehicle, which is good for the environment and sustainability.”
In his role with Rightech, Peter is helping spearhead the development of a 7.5-ton electric truck designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable transport solutions.
“We’re here to offer a solution – a clean truck that comes with a game-changing price and the lowest total cost of ownership, outperforming diesel in the areas that matter most.
“This is a brand-new program with fresh partnerships and a completely new team. It’s an exciting challenge to build something from the ground up, knowing that we’re offering a genuinely innovative and sustainable product.
“The goal isn’t to change the world overnight, but to convince the commercial market that we provide a complete package: a reliable vehicle, comprehensive after-sales support, and long-term affordability.
“The conditions are finally right to accelerate the shift to electric trucks. We’re setting the stage for a market boost, offering a truck that does the job, is clean, affordable, and backed by our experience in keeping buses on the road,” Peter added.
