The automotive industry is facing significant challenges, prompting Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck to announce new funding measures aimed at stimulating the market for electric vehicles. Habeck, a politician from the Greens, has proposed tax incentives for electric cars used as company vehicles as part of these measures.
The announcement comes amid concerns from major automakers like Volkswagen (VW), which has not ruled out plant closures due to declining demand and economic difficulties. During a visit to the VW plant in Emden, Habeck was met with protests from labor representatives worried about job security, holding signs that demanded the preservation of all locations.
Habeck has called for an 'auto summit' to discuss the crisis and explore additional measures to support the industry. He emphasized the need for competitive energy prices and highlighted the economic viability of electric vehicles.
Despite significant investments, such as over 1 billion euros in the Emden plant for the production of electric models, the site struggles with low demand. The automotive sector, represented by the VDA, is also calling for lower electricity prices for charging electric vehicles and more support for hydrogen infrastructure to boost consumer confidence.
The upcoming summit with Habeck aims to address these issues and find solutions to the ongoing crisis in the automotive industry.
