United Front Against Proposed Incineration Ban Proposed by IAA
In the heart of Munich, the IAA Mobility, organized by the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), is currently underway. This year's event has seen its fair share of controversy, with the globalization-critical network Attac sinking an "Autosaurus" in a water feature at the exhibition's entrance to protest the show.
Amidst the protests, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Hildegard Müller, President of the VDA, have called for a reality check and a course correction in the EU's climate policy towards the auto industry. The leaders argue that unilateral political dictates on specific technologies are wrong for the auto industry and bad economic policy.
Merz and Müller are particularly concerned about the planned ban on combustion engines and the regulations on CO2 fleet emissions for the auto industry. They see a strict ban as too one-sided and are advocating for flexibility to better balance competition, climate protection, and job security.
Müller's advocacy is aimed at contributing to the success of climate neutrality, not departing from it. She argues that the industry needs room to innovate and adapt to the challenges posed by the transition to electric vehicles.
Markus Söder, Bavarian Minister-President, has renewed his call for a reversal of the combustion engine ban. He believes the ban should be replaced with other alternatives and that CO2 targets need to be "adjusted to reality."
It is possible that Merz may hear similar wishes from one or two CEOs during his Chancellor's tour of the exhibition. The leaders' calls for change come as the EU has regulations in place regarding the ban on new combustion engines and CO2 fleet emissions for the auto industry.
Looking ahead, the IAA will remain in Munich for six more years, as an agreement has been reached for three more editions. However, further protest actions during the exhibition are expected, as has been the case with previous editions of the IAA Mobility.
The leaders' calls for a course correction in the EU's climate policy towards the auto industry highlight the ongoing debate surrounding the transition to electric vehicles and the need to balance economic and environmental concerns. As the IAA Mobility continues, it will be interesting to see how the industry responds to these calls for change.
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