Lifts EU's fuel ban and bolsters German automotive sector called for by Söder

In a significant development, Markus Söder, the CSU leader, has announced a comprehensive support plan for the German automotive industry. The plan, titled "Yes to the car, yes to the automotive nation Germany," is aimed at securing the future of the industry and its jobs, as well as the competitiveness of Germany and Europe.

According to reports in "Bild am Sonntag," Söder described the car industry as a matter of life and death for the German economy. He expressed concerns about the current point in time being decisive for the industry's future, given the challenges posed by US tariffs, Brussels' bureaucratic nonsense, over-regulation, and technological one-sidedness.

Söder's plan includes a variety of measures to support the industry. One key aspect is the expansion of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, recognising the growing importance of electric mobility. The plan also calls for the development of autonomous driving technology, a field that is expected to shape the future of the automotive industry.

In an effort to reduce costs and increase accessibility, Söder's plan proposes the reduction of costs associated with obtaining a driving license. The plan also aims to strengthen the supply industry for the automotive sector, ensuring a robust ecosystem for the industry's growth.

Söder has been vocal about the need for a clear car strategy for Germany, one that is not ideological but is future-oriented, realistic, and technologically grounded. He has called for the revision of CO2 savings targets and has expressed concerns about the EU's proposed ban on new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035, which he believes could threaten hundreds of thousands of jobs in Germany.

In response to this proposed ban, Söder has called for its scrapping, stating that internal combustion engines have a future with e-fuels and new technologies. He believes that Germany needs a balanced approach that embraces both traditional and new technologies, rather than an outright ban on internal combustion engines.

Oliver Blume, CEO of the Volkswagen Group, has welcomed the federal government's invitation for an automotive summit. Blume stated that the Volkswagen Group is flexible in various drive systems, while the future belongs to electric mobility.

The support plan's implementation details remain unclear, with no specific information available on when or if it will be implemented by the federal government. Söder has reiterated his call for support ahead of the Munich IAA, but the plan's implementation remains a topic of discussion and anticipation.