VW passenger car boss wants cross-industry cooperation for electric turnaround
Published: Friday, Jun 7th 2024, 10:40
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The e-car industry in Europe is currently in crisis. "We are currently experiencing a dip," said Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger Cars, at the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) in Interlaken. To overcome this, cross-sector cooperation is needed to ensure that the car industry in Europe remains competitive.
"The electric turnaround can only happen together," said Schäfer. The e-car industry in Europe is currently suffering from high electricity prices due to the war in Ukraine and a heterogeneous funding environment. All players, i.e. industry, politics and society, must now work together to achieve the turnaround.
On the one hand, this includes the full conversion of combustion engines and hybrid models to electric drives. It has proven to be right for VW to continue to rely on hybrid models in the medium term.
However, this could only be a temporary solution: "This is an expensive strategy, it has to come to an end," said the VW Passenger Cars boss.
Small models suitable for mass production important
In order to master the transition, VW is also focusing on smaller e-car models, the importance of which Schäfer emphasized. For example, VW is planning to launch the "ID.2all", a model costing around 25,000 euros, before the end of 2025. Even more affordable models are to follow. Tesla is also pursuing a similar strategy.
"We have to penetrate lower price segments," emphasized Schäfer. This is the only way VW can reach the masses. However, in order for the Group to earn something from the low-priced models, these vehicles would have to be produced in large quantities.
VW has the necessary capacities, explained Schäfer, referring to the Group's own battery cell factories in Europe and Canada.
The fact that e-cars are not associated with sacrifice, but are safe and can cover long distances, has meanwhile reached people's minds: "We've done our homework."
Infrastructure expansion necessary
However, the VW manager emphasized that more stability in the power supply and a better infrastructure are also needed for customers to switch to "electric". All in all, however, the company is "on the right track".
However, Schäfer also called for the commitment of everyone - companies and politicians - to keep Europe competitive as a production location. VW will remain loyal to the old continent, he emphasized.
"We have to stay here and continue to produce our own battery cells. We can't just press pause, we have to drive innovation and remain the technology leader," said Schäfer.
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