The auto industry is a key industry in Germany. It is struggling not only with changes in mobility and past mistakes, but also with the consequences of the corona pandemic. However, the comprehensive new state aid required is controversial.
Berlin (dpa) - Before the so-called auto summit by the federal government and manufacturers, criticism of unrestricted purchase premiums is growing louder. The "economy" Monika Schnitzer criticized the demand for purchase premiums for new cars as "pure lobbyism".
The automotive industry has long overslept "important trends such as e-mobility and hydrogen technology," says the economist - and receives support for it. From the point of view of consumer advocates, for example, purchase promotion must support the climate policy goals of Germany and the EU.
The Federal Government and representatives of the automotive industry want to advise on the tense situation in the industry this Tuesday. Demand has plummeted due to the corona crisis. Manufacturers hope for government help in the form of new purchase premiums to boost demand. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) had made it clear, however, that a decision on special incentives for the industry was not yet expected at the meeting on Tuesday.
On Monday, the prime ministers of the "auto countries" Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg wanted to advise about a purchase premium. The auto industry insists on a quick incentive to buy. From the point of view of the industry, not only should environmentally friendly e-cars be funded, but also petrol and diesel.
Bavaria's Minister of Economics Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters) spoke in favor of a premium for new and used car purchases with combustion engines from the Euro 6 emissions standard. "Every drive that is low in pollutants must be supported in an open-technology manner, and not just like electric cars at the moment," said Deputy Prime Minister Aiwanger of the "Augsburger Allgemeine".
The VW truck subsidiary Traton, to which the brands MAN and Scania belong, pleads for Europe-wide incentives to buy trucks. CEO Andreas Renschler called for "short-term investment incentives for the environmentally friendly renewal of truck fleets in Europe in order to overcome the crisis in this system-critical sector".
Climate activist Luisa Neubauer rejects a car premium as irresponsible. "The car summit is now a directional summit that reveals how serious the Chancellor really is in terms of a climate-friendly, sustainable and fair corona policy," said Neubauer of the German Press Agency.
Consumer advocates warned against promoting cars with poor carbon footprints. Klaus Müller, member of the board of the Federation of German Consumer Organizations, said: "We do not need a scrappage bonus 2.0, which promotes combustion engines and makes functional cars disposable. The federal and state governments must act in a forward-looking manner and promote environmentally compatible mobility."
Politicians should not fall into old patterns at the insistence of the auto industry, said Müller: "If there are to be new subsidies, only particularly climate-friendly vehicles such as electric cars may receive funding." In addition, the association supports the demand for a mobile premium and suggests that people who share their car with others or live without a car should also benefit from funding, but who use the bike, public transport or car sharing offers.
SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans expressed doubts about the usefulness of purchase bonuses. He told "rbb" that they were still in the middle of the crisis. Many people would "now do anything but decide to buy a new car". If there were car premiums, the climate and corona crisis would have to be linked. Schnitzer also said that a combination of purchase premiums, for example for electric cars, combined with investments in charging infrastructure could make sense.
According to a discount study by the "Center Automotive Research", German car dealers only have small discounts on new cars despite the slump in sales. According to this, manufacturers and dealers remained in April with their actions at the already low level of the previous months. The institute suspects deliberate reluctance to make a decision about government purchase incentives.