德国汽车业将迎20万个就业岗位流失 究竟做错了什么？

Core Insights - The German automotive industry is facing significant challenges, including a projected loss of over 200,000 jobs due to declining demand, high production costs, and difficulties in transitioning to electric vehicles [1][4] - Major automakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have reported substantial declines in net profits, with Volkswagen's profit dropping by 61.5% year-on-year in the first three quarters of the year [1][2] - The German government is attempting to address the crisis by potentially reversing the EU's ban on new internal combustion engine vehicles post-2035, but this move poses risks to the electric vehicle transition and may undermine consumer confidence [2][3] Job Losses and Economic Impact - Since 2019, Germany has lost approximately 245,000 manufacturing jobs, with the automotive sector accounting for 51,500 job losses in the past year, representing 6.7% of the industry's total workforce [1] - The automotive industry's struggles are threatening the overall economic stability of Germany, which relies heavily on this sector [1] Electric Vehicle Transition Challenges - The rise of electric vehicles has been a double-edged sword for German automakers, who have invested billions but are now facing high costs and competition from Chinese manufacturers [4][5] - Despite some achievements in electrification, German automakers are struggling to compete due to high costs and less appealing designs compared to emerging competitors [5] Policy and Political Factors - The political landscape in Germany has contributed to the automotive industry's decline, with fluctuating policies affecting investment and consumer demand [6][8] - The government's indecisiveness and lack of a coherent strategy have led to a negative feedback loop of reduced demand and cautious investment among automakers [6][9] Competitive Landscape - German automakers are at risk of losing their competitive edge as they face increasing pressure from both domestic and international competitors, particularly in the electric vehicle market [5][9] - The industry's historical reliance on brand reputation may not be sufficient to maintain market share against more innovative and cost-effective alternatives [5][9]