According to Bloomberg, Volkswagen Group Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch has urged the European Union to revise its emission targets and provide clear guidance to the automotive industry.
Pötsch stated that policymakers have set ambitious climate goals but have not fully considered the measures needed to achieve them. He believes that the goals must be "based on reality" and allow the industry more time. "Electric vehicles are the future of personal mobility, but I must emphasize that politicians have set targets for the industry without the necessary infrastructure in place, and without considering whether consumers are willing to participate."
On September 10, Volkswagen Group canceled the employment guarantee in Germany that had been in place for 30 years. Additionally, the company warned last week that it might have to close a factory in Germany for the first time. Pötsch revealed that negotiations with labor representatives and unions may continue until the end of the year, stressing that "it is crucial to convince everyone that structural reforms are inevitable." He also noted that the EU "must now create the conditions for the success of electric vehicles in areas such as the power grid, charging infrastructure, raw materials, vehicles, and investments." Pötsch believes that while electric vehicles will become mainstream, it will take more time.
In Pötsch's view, the automotive industry needs "innovative and competitive products, as well as strong cooperation on political, business, and societal levels." He added, "Other regions are setting examples for us, and protectionism and isolation will not work." Renault CEO Luca de Meo echoed this sentiment, suggesting that European automakers should collaborate with and learn from Chinese companies.
