Fine, then. Shut down VW.
If the German car companies hadn’t stuck their head in the sand and refused to plan for EVs until 3minutes to midnight they wouldn’t have a problem. I have ZERO sympathy for them. Hell they actively tried to subvert the transition for a number of years (along with Toyota)
And on top of that, they have been destroying the planet, their cars secretly emmititng so many more emmissions than they were supposed to… (remember dieselgate anyone)?
Also, they were so focused building and selling the cars THEY wanted (expensive and luxurious) instead what the majority of the people in the EU actually needed\could afford (basic and good value for money cars).
27% of Volkswagens sales are electric. It is entirly possible to get the other 73% done in a decade. Especially given the growth of the sector.
OK, to go into some more detail: The big car makers could actually make it if their management wants to. They have invested a bit into electrical technology, though by far not enough.
Then there are companies like Bosch which have developed electrical technology since a long time. Bosch is today one of the most important suppliers of eBike drive components.
But what is the far bigger problem for industrial policy are the car companies’ suppliers, of which many are still focused on 100% combustion engines and the parts around them. They have no future. And unfortunately, they have a disproportionate economic share in entire regions.
LOL. There are African countries like Ethopia that are banning new petrol cars. And more countries should do it, so that VW might get a grasp on reality.
By the way, a great deal of Germany’s exportd of luxery cars goed to really poor countries. I worked back in 1995 in a Mercedes Benz assembly line. The destination was on a sheet in the side window. I was stunned how many expensive Mercedes cars were exported to countries like Pakistan.
It’s a sad day to find out that no one wants your company to exist anymore. I sympathize.
China has 700 km range vehicles that charge from 20% to 80% in 5 minutes and cost 35,000€. Time for VW to adapt.
Mimimiii
