Olaf Lies, Minister-President of Lower Saxony (SPD), said Volkswagen should utilize technological developments from China to maintain German industrial competitiveness [1].
This strategy aims to protect the domestic automotive sector as Chinese electric vehicles inevitably enter the European market [1]. Because the shift toward electrification is accelerating, German manufacturers face significant pressure to match the speed and cost-efficiency of their Eastern competitors [2].
Lies said the proposal during an interview at the ZDFheute news studio [1]. He said that the penetration of the European market by Chinese electric vehicles is an unavoidable reality [1]. To compensate for this shift, he said that Volkswagen leverage the innovation and production efficiencies found in China to strengthen the industrial base within Germany [1], [3].
Integrating these technologies could prevent a decline in domestic manufacturing capabilities [3]. The approach involves adopting specific Chinese advancements to ensure that the German location remains competitive despite the global shift in EV leadership [1], [3].
Lower Saxony remains a critical hub for Volkswagen, making the state's political leadership a key stakeholder in the company's long-term survival [1]. The proposal suggests a pivot from viewing Chinese firms solely as rivals to treating their technological progress as a resource for German recovery [1], [3].
“Volkswagen should utilize technological developments from China to maintain German industrial competitiveness.”
This proposal marks a pragmatic shift in German industrial policy, acknowledging that the domestic automotive sector can no longer outpace China in EV innovation alone. By suggesting that Volkswagen 'import' Chinese technological efficiency, Lies is prioritizing the survival of German jobs and factories over the traditional goal of total technological independence.
