2024-09-22 12:01:24
The German car industry is doing badly. Now the SPD is calling for the introduction of a new scrappage bonus.
Economic politicians from the SPD are calling for several immediate measures to support the struggling automobile industry. One point is to be the introduction of a new scrappage bonus. This is according to a joint paper from the economic politicians, which was made available to “Stern”. “VW and the automobile industry are the engine of Germany. If the engine stutters, we have to get it going,” said the deputy SPD parliamentary group leader in the Bundestag, Verena Hubertz.
“In order to lead them through the current low and to ensure that German automobiles can maintain and even expand their strong position in the future market, decisive action is now required,” the document states. “The fact that we have to spend money should not be an obstacle.” Specifically, the politicians are proposing a bonus of 6,000 euros for anyone who exchanges their car with a combustion engine for a new electric car. When buying a used electric vehicle, the bonus should be 3,000 euros.
The paper also provides for further measures. These include a “social leasing program” whereby people with low and middle incomes will receive a surcharge on the leasing premium. In addition, wall boxes and charging stations will be specifically promoted.
The paper is a reaction to the car summit held by Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) on Monday. In view of the crisis at VW, Minister Habeck wants to discuss the current situation with the automotive industry. The largest German automobile manufacturers and suppliers, the automotive industry association VDA and the union IG Metall are to take part in the summit.
At the beginning of last week, VW caused a sensation by terminating the collective agreement’s job security. This means that redundancies for operational reasons are possible from July next year, provided no solution is found by then. The company is also no longer ruling out plant closures.
The car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz cut its profit forecast on Friday due to the stuttering performance in China. After Volkswagen and BMW, the Stuttgart-based company also had to pay tribute to the weakening economy after a long period of booming business. “I don’t know how long the situation in China will remain like this,” admitted CEO Ola Källenius in a video conference with analysts. Mercedes shares fell significantly on Friday, dragging other stocks in the industry down with them.
Things have not been going well for the carmaker with the star in the People’s Republic for some time now, because wealthy customers are less willing to spend on cars due to the real estate crisis in the country. But China is the most important market for Mercedes.