Baden-Württemberg's automotive construction efforts, as detailed by Özdemir
Cem Özdemir Outlines Vision for Digitalized and Electrified German Automotive Industry
In an interview with the "Schwäbische Zeitung," Cem Özdemir, the Green Party's top candidate for the upcoming spring election to the state parliament in Baden-Württemberg, has outlined his plans for the future of Germany's automotive industry.
Özdemir's vision focuses on an ecological transformation through electromobility and digitalization, aiming to maintain competitiveness amid challenges from China and the USA.
Emphasizing the importance of integrating digital technologies and connectivity, Özdemir referred to the future car as a "rolling iPhone." He advocates for prioritizing electromobility and battery production within Baden-Württemberg, Germany’s automotive heartland, to preserve its international competitiveness.
To avoid falling behind global competitors, particularly China and the USA who are aggressively expanding in electric vehicle (EV) technology and battery supply chains, Özdemir supports keeping battery manufacturing local.
In addition, he supports incentives and support programs for CO2-neutral technologies but criticizes current state funding programs for their complexity, calling for streamlined and more effective support systems.
Özdemir's approach bridges market-driven innovation with environmental goals, pushing the Greens to remain committed to making the market an ally to climate protection, thus fostering sustainable industrial competition rather than adopting heavy leftward economic policies that might disrupt industry dynamics.
Robotics, software, a new generation of batteries without rare earths, and autonomous driving are future technologies that will determine the industry's leadership, according to Özdemir. He asserts that having technological leadership in digitalized electric cars is key to ensuring the continued production of the best cars in the world.
Despite recent significant losses in profits by Mercedes and Porsche, Özdemir did not express any doubts about the future of the automotive industry. Instead, he states that the future of the automotive industry requires finding answers to prevent German automotive industry and its employees from being left behind.
In summary, Özdemir’s plan centers on ecological and digital transformation of the automotive industry, protecting and expanding local battery production capacity, viewing cars increasingly as digitally connected platforms, implementing streamlined incentives for CO2-neutral and electric technologies, and maintaining a market-friendly policy approach to support industry competitiveness without over-regulation.
- Cem Özdemir's vision for the German automotive industry includes embracing technology, with an emphasis on digitalization and the integration of software to transform cars into 'rolling iPhones.'
- In order to maintain its competitive edge amidst global rivals, especially China and the USA, who are making significant strides in electric vehicle technology and battery supply chains, Özdemir advocates for local battery manufacturing.
- To ensure the continued production of the best cars in the world, Özdemir believes that technological leadership in digitalized electric cars is crucial, and he identifies robotics, future batteries, and autonomous driving as key technologies that will determine the industry's future leadership.
