Germany Under Pressure: Autos and the Fight for Competitiveness

Europe weathered the first China Shock of the early 2000s as China emerged as the factory of the world. China Shock 2.0 presents a quite different challenge, as Europe seeks to compete with China in many of the high-value industries that have traditionally underpinned its economic strength.

The challenge is particularly acute in Germany. Nowhere is this more visible than in the German automotive industry, where automakers face challenging positions in China, growing Chinese competition in Europe, and high domestic costs. We will explore the outlook for BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen, including profitability, restructuring and job cuts, and what this means for Germany’s economy and European competitiveness.

This webinar will discuss:

• The forces reshaping European competitiveness, particularly in Germany
• China Shock 2.0 and the changing global competitive landscape
• The outlook for German automakers, including profitability, restructuring and global market pressures
• How industry and policymakers are responding, and the implications for German autos and the wider European economy