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Auto industry

For more than a hundred years, carmakers have boosted economic growth, giving workers good jobs and shareholders healthy profits. Now, the industry is under pressure to transform amid climate change.

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All Content on this topic

A man works on the production line in a car factory

A man works on the production line in a car factory

What Trump's tariffs mean for Germany's struggling industry

German businesses are bracing for the impact punitive tariffs from the US could have on their bottom lines.

Unsold cars in China

Unsold cars in China

VW seeks a way out of its crisis

VW in crisis. Does it just need to cut costs, or a change in strategy?

Why is Volkswagen so important for Germany?

VW's long history isn't enough to help it out of crisis. It will need to reinvent what it does to make the jump to EVs.

A man straddles an e-bike on a crowded road in Kampala

A man straddles an e-bike on a crowded road in Kampala

How is Uganda switching to e-mobility?

Ugandans are increasingly turning to electric vehicles to tackle air pollution, especially in cities like Kampala.

German midfielder Jamal Musiala warms up with the ball at his feet in Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France

German midfielder Jamal Musiala warms up with the ball at his feet in Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France

How the VW crisis threatens German football sponsorships

Volkswagen's slump in profits and labor crisis could lead the German automaker to reconsider its football sponsorships.

Solid-state battery components

Solid-state battery components

Solid-state batteries made in Germany

A German start-up wants to beat the Chinese competition with a solid-state battery suitable for mass production.

Porsche cars in front of a German company headquarter building

Porsche cars in front of a German company headquarter building

Are Germany's subsidized company cars hurting EV adoption?

Germany spends billions of euros to subsidize company cars with combustion engines, slowing the electric mobility shift.

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

No recession, but little relief, for German economy

It seems like nothing but bad news these days for the German economy. Does new economic data offer some good news?

A VW employee presenting the company's ID.3 electric model

A VW employee presenting the company's ID.3 electric model

Can VW's bet on Brazil help as sales in Germany, China fall?

Volkswagen is facing a crisis in its key European and Asian markets, but business in Brazil is on the upswing — for now.

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

How the VW crisis is a failure of Germany's car policy

Europe's biggest carmaker is in the midst of a severe sales and cost crisis. Is this actually just a sign of the times?

A person walks across the parking lot at the Volkswagen automobile plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., Friday, April 19, 2024. Workers at the plant finish voting Friday night on whether to join the United Auto Workers union.

A person walks across the parking lot at the Volkswagen automobile plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., Friday, April 19, 2024. Workers at the plant finish voting Friday night on whether to join the United Auto Workers union.

Volkswagen in crisis: Why is the German carmaker struggling?

Germany's labor union, IG Metall, is firm in negotiations over a 7% wage increase with the country's largest carmaker.

Members of the IG Metall metalworkers union demonstrate

Members of the IG Metall metalworkers union demonstrate

Volkswagen and workers clash over layoffs as profits plummet

Europe's biggest car manufacturer has reported a 64% profit slump and is now seeking to cut costs.

Chinese visitors view MG 6 and Roewe RX8 hybrid cars of SAIC Motor on display in Shanghai, China, 19 September 2018.

Chinese visitors view MG 6 and Roewe RX8 hybrid cars of SAIC Motor on display in Shanghai, China, 19 September 2018.

China decries new EU tariffs on its electric vehicles

The EU increased tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles to as much as 45.3%.

REV Volvo EX30 Check

REV Volvo EX30 Check

The electric Volvo EX30

Volvo's EX30 has plenty of features and a reasonable price tag. Is it the best value-for-money EV?

A group of VW workers demonstrating on September 25, 2024 in Hanover, northern Germany

A group of VW workers demonstrating on September 25, 2024 in Hanover, northern Germany

Volkswagen to scrap three plants and thousands of jobs

VW workers are demanding higher wages and job security, but management has announced a deeper-than-expected overhaul.

Porsche employees take part in a warning strike in front of the Porsche plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany

Porsche employees take part in a warning strike in front of the Porsche plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany

Germany metalworkers launch strikes over pay

Warning strikes have begun in Germany's metal and electrical industries as collective bargaining continues.

A Volkswagen flag in front of a dark gray cloudy sky.

A Volkswagen flag in front of a dark gray cloudy sky.

German automaker Volkswagen faces unprecedented crisis

Anger and concern among VW workers rise as potential layoffs and plant closures threaten their livelihoods.

VW intends to shut 3 German factories, works council says

The move is expected to slash thousands of jobs in Volkswagen as German automakers deal with high production costs.

German car giants alarmed by Donald Trump's trade threats

Carmakers are growing increasingly nervous about the US election after Donald Trump called for more US production.

DW REV Sendungslogo Composite

DW REV Sendungslogo Composite

REV — The Auto & Mobility Show

New Peugeot E-3008 EV tested. And dissecting the success of the iconic VW Golf — loved world over.

A picture showing the silhouette of the Volkswagen factory in the city of Wolfsburg, Germany.

A picture showing the silhouette of the Volkswagen factory in the city of Wolfsburg, Germany.

Germany: Will city of Wolfsburg survive Volkswagen's crisis?

Many in Wolfsburg work for VW. As the car giant considers cuts, residents worry about the northern German city's fate.

DW "Eco Africa" Sendungslogo mit Partnerlogos (Composite)

DW "Eco Africa" Sendungslogo mit Partnerlogos (Composite)

Eco Africa: Multi-talented trees and embracing e-mobility

Boosting e-mobility, curbing flooding with mangroves and floodplain forests, and rapping for change.

Automesse Paris 2024

Automesse Paris 2024

Paris Motor Show showcases electric effort

European car makers unveil new electric cars at the Paris Motor Show in an effort to match Chinese competition.

REV Infrastructure Elektroautos

REV Infrastructure Elektroautos

Is range anxiety real? EV charging problems and advances

Reducing range anxiety by improving charging infrastructure with electrified highways and e-routes

A Chinese worker assembles an electric car on the assembly line at an auto plant in Hangzhou

A Chinese worker assembles an electric car on the assembly line at an auto plant in Hangzhou

China: 'Major differences' remain over EU car tariffs

Beijing has been pushing against EU tariffs on Chinese EVs, but the Brussels talks ended without a breakthrough.

DW Projekt Zukunft Sendungslogo Englisch (Tomorrow Today)

DW Projekt Zukunft Sendungslogo Englisch (Tomorrow Today)

Inductive charging — e-cars that recharge while driving

No cables, no sockets — electric cars can also be charged inductively like smartphones…even while moving.

China Fabrik

China Fabrik

EU to decide on higher tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles

A trade war is brewing over Chinese electric vehicles, which have upended the global auto industry.

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

REV — The auto & mobility show

Testing the Opel Zafira Electric. Thailand — the Detroit of Asia? And: London’s new traffic rules.

Bangkok International Motor Show 2022 | MG ZS

Bangkok International Motor Show 2022 | MG ZS

Thailand: A carmaking powerhouse

Thailand could come under pressure as electric vehicles gain more market share and other nations ramp up production.

REV Check Opel Zafira

REV Check Opel Zafira

Check: Testing the Opel Zafira Electric

REV’s tests the Opel Zafira Electric. Can it compete with more expensive vans like the VW ID. Buzz?

Illustration shows European flags at the Berlaymont which houses the headquarters of the European Commission

Illustration shows European flags at the Berlaymont which houses the headquarters of the European Commission

EU to launch WTO challenge against China's brandy squeeze

The decision appeared to be retaliatory, after the EU slapped more import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Workers install solar panels on the flat roof of a residence in Chicago

Workers install solar panels on the flat roof of a residence in Chicago

Is the US really experiencing a boom in green energy jobs?

The Inflation Reduction Act has boosted the US green economy and created thousands of jobs. Can it continue to deliver?

An electric car in China

An electric car in China

EU greenlights tariffs for Chinese electric vehicles

Germany strongly opposes the tariffs amid fears of a trade war with China. Beijing called the move "protectionist."

A group of International Longshoremen’s Association members holding signs as they strike in New Jersey

A group of International Longshoremen’s Association members holding signs as they strike in New Jersey

How will German carmakers be affected by US port strikes?

German exporters to the US are watching nervously as key American ports close due to a massive dockworkers' strike.

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REV — The Auto & Mobility Show

Chinese electric vehicles are shaking up the global market — how will America respond?

Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, receives the presidential sash during an inauguration ceremony

Mexico's president, Claudia Sheinbaum, receives the presidential sash during an inauguration ceremony

Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum faces economic challenges

How will the country's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, navigate the troubled waters of "America First" policies?

Thumbnail Is your smart tech a hidden danger?

Thumbnail Is your smart tech a hidden danger?

Is your smart tech a hidden danger?

The US are considering a ban of Chinese self-driving car technology. WHY?

A view of the entrance of a Volkswagen plant in Emden Germany. A large VW sign in seen in the foreground to the left.

A view of the entrance of a Volkswagen plant in Emden Germany. A large VW sign in seen in the foreground to the left.

German carmaker VW cornered by Chinese competition

Volkswagen says it may have to close factories and cut jobs due to weak sales and strong competition from China.

external

REV — The Auto & Mobility Show

REV uncovers the surprising history of electric cars. And we test a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ.

An illustration showing how Chinese cars are looking to increase market share in the EU

An illustration showing how Chinese cars are looking to increase market share in the EU

EU divided over higher tariffs for Chinese EV imports

Despite "constructive talks" between the EU and China, the impasse over tariffs on Chinese EVs threatens to escalate.

A workers meeting at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg with workers and management facing it off

A workers meeting at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg with workers and management facing it off

Volkswagen's crisis: How can Europe's car industry survive?

While Europe's carmakers mull factory closures their Chinese rivals want to set up shop here. What's going wrong?

BYD electric cars wait at Yantai port, in eastern China's Shandong province

BYD electric cars wait at Yantai port, in eastern China's Shandong province

Decoding China: Beijing's delicate EV mission in Europe

Beijing is undertaking a last-minute bid to avert the threat of special EU tariffs on electric vehicles from China.

An e-truck being charged

An e-truck being charged

Charging into the future with e-trucks

Daimler’s new battery electric truck is clean and quiet, and has plenty of range.

Berlin considering how to support German carmaker Volkswagen

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Berlin is looking into ways to support ailing carmaker Volkswagen.

PK Daimler Truck AG | Mercedes-Benz eActros LKW

PK Daimler Truck AG | Mercedes-Benz eActros LKW

Mercedes aims to usher in era of battery-powered trucks

Mercedes Trucks says it has a long-haul e-Truck ready to go, but transportation companies are still reluctant.

A rendering shows early plans for two new Intel processor factories in Magdeburg, Germany as announced in March 2022

A rendering shows early plans for two new Intel processor factories in Magdeburg, Germany as announced in March 2022

US Intel's factory delay adds to Germany's economic woes

As Intel postpones building a factory in Germany, questions arise if Berlin is still committed to the project.

Barrels of nuclear waste

Barrels of nuclear waste

Old challenges, new solutions — MADE

Old nuclear waste, new energy policies and the labor market of the future.

A battery electric truck and a hydrogen truck by Daimler are parked in front of an Alpine background

A battery electric truck and a hydrogen truck by Daimler are parked in front of an Alpine background

Hydrogen vs battery: The race for the truck of the future

Truck manufacturers are under pressure to cut emissions. Should they bet on batteries, hydrogen fuel cells or both?

An illustration showing the German flag and German car manufacturing moving toward China

An illustration showing the German flag and German car manufacturing moving toward China

What Volkswagen's woes say about Germany's economic future

Job cuts and plant closures at Germany's largest carmaker are a symptom of a wider malaise in Europe's largest economy.

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume

Volkswagen CEO defends job cuts citing economic pressures

Left-wing politicians have pointed out that Volkswagen has paid out billions of euros in dividends.