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Criticism and protest: The future of the VW plant in Zwickau is in the balance!
Saxony: VW factory in Zwickau is switching to electric car production, but stagnating demand is endangering jobs.
Criticism and protest: The future of the VW plant in Zwickau is in the balance!
In Zwickau, an important location for the German automotive industry, the future of electric car production is hanging in the balance. The VW factory in the Saxon city has already completed the complete conversion to the production of electric cars. But now the first signs of uncertainty are emerging: sales of electric cars are stagnating, putting jobs at VW and its suppliers at risk. The region is urgently hoping for political support daily news reported.
During a visit to the plant, Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU), Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) and Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) met with VW representatives and employees. Possible political help that could allay the employees' concerns was discussed. Employees and suppliers protested in front of the factory gate, openly displaying their fears for their jobs and the economic future.
Worries about electric car production
The reduction in electric car production is no coincidence. VW has reduced production of electric vehicles at its Zwickau plant due to lower demand. At the same time, sales of combustion engine models are going well. Activists and analysts are wondering what the reasons for the weak demand are and what incentives need to be created to make electric cars popular The first reported.
In addition, Kretschmer expressed concerns about wages at VW, which in his opinion were too high and could cause discontent among suppliers. The EU decision to phase out combustion engines by 2035 is also met with resistance; Kretschmer classifies this goal as excessive and unattainable. Dirk Panter, his ministerial colleague, supports the basic stance, but is flexible about the timing of the end of combustion engines.
A look into the future
Changes in the automotive industry are inevitable. By 2030 the entire picture will change dramatically. Alternative drives will increasingly replace conventional combustion engines. A report from Deloitte emphasizes that a rethink is also required when introducing hybrid drives in the transition period.
The federal government decided on an economic stimulus package in 2020 to cushion the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures to increase sales of alternative fuel vehicles have been established. Although these significant steps as part of the package could increase the number of registered vehicles with alternative drives to up to 6.35 million by 2030, it remains to be noted that the current framework conditions are not yet sufficient to achieve a sustainable turnaround in electromobility.
It is therefore very important for the affected regions and the entire industry that political decisions are made quickly and the course is set for a successful e-car future. The next few months will be crucial in providing hope to the people of Zwickau and beyond.