The company is seen as crucial not just to local but national wellbeing – and never before have its workers been threatened in their own homeland like this
The German automotive industry became “victim” of its own political success. Instead of being exposed to the shifting markets and forcing real innovation, they lobbied successfully against changing regulatory frameworks. The article mentions an expert saying there is little economic reason to produce in Germany.
The German economy relies on meaningful innovation and it has been the driver of its success in the 50s-70s. By falling behind on that key competence, the automotive industry is dismantling itself.
However because of its political power, the automotive industry is not only dismantling itself, it is destroying the entire economy with it. Germany used to be leader in Solar and Wind power production. Then in the 2010-2012 China pressured Germany to let these industries fall apart, as it otherwise would create trade barriers for German car makers. Now China is dominating renewables and on top of it is taking the automotive industry away.
The Merkel era is what brought us into this heap of shit. It was almost 2 decades of trying to maintain a status quo. No investments in critical infrastructure at all. I appreciated Merkel’s professionalism (Scholz is a moron) but that’s about it.
And before that it was Schröder (a corrupt Putin buddy) and Kohl (Merkel’s mentor who also mainly kept the status quo intact and lucked upon the reunification which led to an economic upturn). Germany is at a standstill since the 90s.
The German automotive industry became “victim” of its own political success. Instead of being exposed to the shifting markets and forcing real innovation, they lobbied successfully against changing regulatory frameworks. The article mentions an expert saying there is little economic reason to produce in Germany.
The German economy relies on meaningful innovation and it has been the driver of its success in the 50s-70s. By falling behind on that key competence, the automotive industry is dismantling itself.
However because of its political power, the automotive industry is not only dismantling itself, it is destroying the entire economy with it. Germany used to be leader in Solar and Wind power production. Then in the 2010-2012 China pressured Germany to let these industries fall apart, as it otherwise would create trade barriers for German car makers. Now China is dominating renewables and on top of it is taking the automotive industry away.
Totally accurate. I don’t mind them dying.
I am working in the automotive industry, so I mind a little bit. But I wouldn’t mind changing to a job in a different industry.
Removed by mod
The Merkel era is what brought us into this heap of shit. It was almost 2 decades of trying to maintain a status quo. No investments in critical infrastructure at all. I appreciated Merkel’s professionalism (Scholz is a moron) but that’s about it.
And before that it was Schröder (a corrupt Putin buddy) and Kohl (Merkel’s mentor who also mainly kept the status quo intact and lucked upon the reunification which led to an economic upturn). Germany is at a standstill since the 90s.
That is incorrect. Most of the people complaining also dislike Merkel for different reasons and disliked her when she was chancellor.