Panter sees major problems due to US tariffs on cars

Saxony's Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) fears massive problems as a result of the announced additional US tariffs on cars. "This is a heavy burden for Germany as an export nation," he said in the state parliament. The German and European domestic markets do not have enough potential to absorb the collapse in demand. Competitiveness must therefore be increased beyond tariffs. US President Donald Trump had announced that he would impose additional tariffs of 25 percent on car imports from the beginning of April.

Saxon automotive industry's situation is serious

Panter described the situation of the Saxon automotive industry as serious. At the same time, he accused Volkswagen of management mistakes. The Group has sites in Zwickau, Chemnitz and Dresden. It had failed to launch a "real Volkswagen", an affordable e-car. In order for demand to grow, the attractiveness of the product must also increase. It is also important to reduce production costs. It is also important to leverage management. Waiving ten percent of management salaries is an important signal.

Almost all parliamentary groups demand a clear commitment to e-mobility

In the state parliament debate, the majority of parliamentary groups demanded a clear commitment to e-mobility from politicians. "The future is not won through plant closures, but through investment," said SPD parliamentary group leader Henning Homann in a debate requested by the Left Party. "If this industry falters, this country falters." The employees in the factories deliver top quality, he said, and this should also be expected from the management.

Left: e-cars have won the race

"Although the major car manufacturers are recording falling profits, they are still generating surpluses in the billions," said Stefan Hartmann (Left). The companies were cutting thousands of jobs and the money earned by employees was largely ending up with shareholders and a few billionaire families. "The German focus has been on the combustion engine for far too long." E-mobility has won the race for passenger cars.

Left-wing politician sees mistakes in management

Hartmann also attested to mistakes made by VW management. Not only the company's employees, but also small suppliers would be liable for these. "They are not responsible for the fact that the core VW brand lacks competitively priced models. They are not responsible for the fact that the VW Group is paying out billions in dividends despite its crisis and has increased these payouts by almost 80 percent in the last three years."

According to AfD representative Carsten Hütter, his party is not generally against e-mobility. It may even be the technology of the future. However, focusing on it at this time would send the wrong signal. "We reject the one-sided focus on electromobility. The AfD stands for openness to technology," said AfD parliamentarian Mike Moncsek.