Bloomberg reports that Volkswagen Group Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch urged the European Union to revise its emissions targets and provide a clear message to the auto industry.
Pötsch said policymakers have set ambitious climate targets but have not yet fully considered the measures needed to achieve them, arguing that the targets must be set “based on reality” and give the industry more time. “Electric vehicles are the future of personal mobility, but I must emphasize that politicians are setting targets for the industry without the necessary infrastructure and without taking into account whether consumers are willing to participate.”
On Sept. 10, Volkswagen Group canceled a job guarantee that had been in place in Germany for 30 years. In addition, the company warned last week that it may have to close its plants in Germany for the first time.Pötsch revealed that the Volkswagen Group’s negotiations with labor representatives and trade unions could continue until the end of the year, “and it is very important to convince everyone that structural reforms are unavoidable in this process. “Pötsch noted that the The EU “must now create the conditions for the success of electromobility in terms of grids, charging, raw materials, vehicles and investments.” Pötsch believes that electromobility will become mainstream, but that it will take more time.
In Pötsch’s view, the automotive industry needs “innovative and competitive products, as well as strong cooperation on the political, commercial and social levels”, “other regions are setting an example for us”, “protectionism and isolation are not helpful”.
Protectionism and isolation will not help”. This was echoed by Luca de Meo, CEO of Renault, who suggested that (European) carmakers work with and learn from Chinese companies.