The car Republic of Germany had for years a fixed address, you can rely on, Behrenstraße 35, right in the middle of Berlin. There resides in the so-called Margrave’s Palace of the German Association of the automotive industry (VDA). On his own website of the Association, which makes this industry in this country is strong. “In Germany, the automobile was invented. And here it is reinvented with passion and the art of engineering.”

The you are already, the two problems that make this industry the life is currently difficult. With the art of engineering have exaggerated the car manufacturers and automotive suppliers considerable time arg – keyword exhaust fraud.

Now it is time to orchestrate a reinvention, and this is a challenge that has had to deal with this industry in such a short period of time.

The industry seems divided as to how rare. On the one hand, the suppliers, the insistence on the preservation of the diesel technology, on the other hand, the manufacturer, the – irony of history – that of Volkswagen powered, the Diesel is not fast enough for good-bye can say. The VDA can be overwhelming. The lobby, the Association is always strong when he combines the Power of its members. Then he speaks for 600 manufacturers and suppliers with over 800,000 employees and over 400 billion euros in sales. In these days, but the first Manager to think small, according to the resolution of such a powerful Association. To divers ‘ interests.

the thing is actually clear: The time for change, and it costs. Also, and especially, jobs. The shock news of Ford after the war. 5000 Points is to reduce the U.S. brand with a long tradition in Germany alone. Volkswagen wants to save in the management of up to 7000 Points, and Audi has just cancelled the night shift.

in The end, it comes to tens of thousands of Jobs. To many, that the Federal government should just sit back and watch. The thrust of the SPD Leader Andrea Nahles is, therefore, correct. It calls for Long been an industry partnership between the auto industry and policy. It is a continuous dialogue with the manufacturers about the changes in the industry, and it should not be a legislature, but rather to ten years. This is to be welcomed, because an open debate is more transparent than a give-and-take in the transport Ministry, at the end of diesel summit of little promise and even less is implemented.

At the same time, the car is a key for the fulfilment of the self-imposed climate protection targets. The implementation of the Paris agreements into concrete laws is not nothing goes to waste, if the transport sector contributes its share to the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

This article dates back to the TIME no 13/2019. Here you can read the entire issue.

The manufacturers have to reverse quite ready. In the past few months the car will have terms of bosses, that you are not able to reach the ambitious climate goals, even with the cleanest Diesel. At least not if you sell at the same time-displacement SUVs. They fear fines in the billions, which do not occur only if enough electric vehicles are on the road.

Due to profit – and not because of the focus on the Common good, the car Manager have sometimes euphoric (in the case of VW), reserved (at BMW) the turn to the electric car. But agree: The internal combustion engine as the main drive has no future in Germany.

Subdued the suppliers are. Who can blame them. For decades, Daimler, Volkswagen and BMW have them-members of the management Board, to tell them what the customers really want: Diesel, Diesel, Diesel fuel and a little gasoline. No wonder Continental, Bosch, ZF, Schaeffler, and dozens of medium-sized companies have employed thousands of engineers for the exploration of more efficient compression-ignition engine.

Now the first Places are occupied.

Bosch, for example, as early as 2018 in the diesel division saved a few Hundred, and so it will go in 2019, also at Leoni or Schaeffler jobs are deleted.

the power of the manufacturer. Change is possible, if there is an incentive to do so. It is true – and since the policy comes into play – to inspire the suppliers for the new opportunities. You have fixed because of the previous policy requirements (Diesel and utility subsidies) to the self-detonator. Now they should be helped to master the next Revolution of the drive technology.

The possibilities are numerous. Of course, the state can subsidize the construction of a battery factory, also in Germany, cells for electric cars will be manufactured. But such interventions go in the market economy – los see above – also to the rear.

Smarter it would be, if the Federal government is in a completely different place. To keep the price of Diesel artificially low would be a first step.

With a carbon tax as a second step, would then, apparently, the actual cost of the energy consumption in Germany. Then, it would be over with the sham electric car. If powered with coal, would have helped the environment at the end of may, less than a Diesel of the latest Generation (of the German environmental help says self – can be really clean). The drivers would notice, but about the carbon tax and, in the future, prefer green energy refuel.

the revenue of The carbon tax could then be used for the transformation of the supplier industry. Who has billion for Mines left over that have no future, should not be too proud to grab a branch under the arms, which is a factor for the future prosperity of this country is crucial.

billions More needed for the conversion of the Republic with the charging stations and the necessary power cables. What is the most beautiful E-car use without electricity?

in Order to create space for this infrastructure, the construction reformed for real, according to the would cost little to nothing.

Everything old problems? Sure, but they need to be tackled. The negotiations on the climate laws are of thebecause of one thing: a tremendous opportunity.