Werbung
Werbung

Söder calls for "Auto Marshall Plan" after VW upheaval - and counts on combustion engines

(dpa/fn) The bad news at VW is causing a stir as far away as Munich. CSU leader Söder is calling for a turnaround and demanding extensive aid for the industry. Ironically, the regional politician sees salvation in suspending the phase-out of combustion engines.

Markus Söder (CSU), Prime Minister of Bavaria and CSU leader. He is calling for an "Auto Marshall Plan" after the VW tremor. (Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa)
Markus Söder (CSU), Prime Minister of Bavaria and CSU leader. He is calling for an "Auto Marshall Plan" after the VW tremor. (Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa)
Werbung
Werbung
von Franziska Neuner

In response to the potential plant closures at Volkswagen, Bavaria's Prime Minister and CSU leader Markus Söder is calling for a radical shift in German economic policy.

"What we need is an automotive Marshall Plan," Söder told the German Press Agency in Munich. "The development at VW is brutal for the automotive location Germany, even though it is evident management mistakes were made." 

"This is the result of the promised green economic miracle: recession and regression," said Söder. The EU and Germany have been weakening the German automotive industry sustainably through wrong decisions for years. "The Green Deal and the traffic light resolutions are costing Europe and Germany competitiveness." 

Plan to Support the German Automotive Industry

Specifically, Söder called for the repeal of the planned ban on combustion engines in the EU and for technological openness, as well as the suspension of all CO2 penalty payments and no tariffs on cars. Furthermore, the reinstatement of the premium for electric cars in Germany and for export should be reintroduced and cheaper charging electricity for electric cars should be made available in Germany. A transformation fund is also needed for all automotive suppliers in Germany. Electric cars should also be allowed to park for free in city centers for a few hours.

Tidings of doom from Wolfsburg: Three VW plants face closure

For weeks, VW and the works council have been struggling over potential plant closures and layoffs. According to the works council, concrete plans are now on the table:

“The management wants to close at least three VW plants in Germany,” said company works council chief Daniela Cavallo at an informational event for the workforce in Wolfsburg. Additionally, massive job cuts and wage reductions are planned. "With these initiatives from the management, tens of thousands of jobs at Volkswagen in Germany are at stake," she said.

The company recently informed employee representatives about these plans. VW has not yet provided any details on specific measures.

Translated automatically from German.
Werbung

Branchenguide

Werbung