Future of the auto industry: What do people in Central Germany think?

Future of the auto industry: What do people in Central Germany think?

What drives the automotive industry in Germany? This was the central question of a survey that took place from October 29th to November 3rd, 2025. A total of 18,361 people from the federal states of Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia took part in the survey, which was carried out by MDR. MDR reports that participants had the opportunity to express their opinions on various topics relating to the future direction of the automotive industry. The survey was not representative, as anyone aged 16 and over could take part, but the results were weighted according to scientific criteria in order to create a valid picture of the mood.

The numbers are impressive: 9,524 participants came from Saxony, 4,366 from Saxony-Anhalt and 4,471 from Thuringia. This broad spectrum is intended to help capture and represent the diversity of arguments. The aim was to draw a comprehensive picture of opinions in Central Germany. The weighting of the results is intended to increase the significance, even if the lucky participants can only give 100 percent - small rounding errors in the presentation.

The challenges of the automotive industry

The German automotive industry is currently facing major challenges. How Statista reports, investments in new technologies are necessary to manage the switch to e-mobility and the development of autonomous vehicles. The pressure from trade conflicts and falling demand in Europe are doing the rest to weigh on profitability. In addition, German manufacturers, which have long been leaders in the production of combustion vehicles, are increasingly facing competition from China, where manufacturers not only offer a wider range of electric cars but also enjoy a better quality image.

The German automotive industry's sales showed a decline in 2024 for the first time since 2020, which is alarming given the export-oriented nature of the industry - over 376.8 billion euros from abroad, accounting for almost 70 percent of total sales. The China business has become less important since 2020, while the image of European brands has declined sharply among consumers in Asia: over 50 percent of respondents in China consider local brands to be reliable, compared to just 42 percent for European brands.

The way into the future

Looking to the future, Volkswagen has already announced the series use of solid-state batteries from 2026 and is relying on collaborations, for example with Rivian in the area of ​​vehicle software. But demand for electric cars in Germany has fallen since the end of the environmental bonus, which makes compliance with fleet limits even more difficult. Manufacturers are faced with the challenge of meeting their CO₂ targets; the Volkswagen Group and others have so far only barely survived in this area.

The supplier industry is also affected by reduced profit margins and must move away from the previous focus on combustion engine technologies. The trend is towards a greater focus on software development and battery manufacturing. A clear step towards e-mobility is essential in order to remain competitive.

In an increasingly globalized market, which is increasingly characterized by emerging markets such as Brazil, India and China, it is important to set a strategic course. Loud AlphaSense These markets offer a wide range of opportunities that need to be exploited, even if each country brings its own challenges. It remains to be seen whether Germany and especially the automotive industry can manage this balancing act.