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The European automotive industry is facing a full-blown collapse, as regulation, technological shortcomings, and fierce competition intensify simultaneously. A recent analysis by the US consultancy Kearney describes a crisis that strikes at the very foundations of the sector. The phasing out of internal combustion engines is accelerating this structural upheaval, as established business models are […]

The new emissions standards mark a clear break with Biden’s policies, as Donald Trump prioritizes economic relief over strict climate action. The focus is on revised emissions regulations designed to give the auto industry more leeway. This gives combustion engines a new lease on life in the US market, as lower requirements reduce production and

Despite its own bans, Germany continues to rely on fossil fuels, as a new LNG contract binds the country to Patagonia for the long term. Liquefied natural gas from southern Argentina is intended to strengthen energy security, even though fracking is causing massive damage there. The deal links economic interests with global responsibility, but social

Solar subsidies are facing a profound change, as the German government plans to completely abolish fixed feed-in tariffs. The energy policy debate is already increasingly focused on the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) and future market prices, while the expansion of photovoltaics must accept new conditions. At the same time, electricity prices are coming into

While Europe is hotly debating electromobility, a development with enormous impact is quietly unfolding. Millions of gasoline-powered cars from China are flooding international markets, driven by state industrial policy, aggressive export strategies, and a shift in the balance of power within the automotive market. This advance has caught Western manufacturers unprepared, as it follows different

In Schweinfurt, the trade tax is at the heart of current austerity measures, as the city’s financial distress has reached a critical level with a budget shortfall of approximately 16 million euros. To close this gap, the municipality plans to raise the trade tax multiplier from 370 to 400 percent starting in 2026, an increase

Fewer environmental tests and no mandatory labeling in supermarkets: The EU wants to relax its rules for handling certain genetically modified products. Representatives from the European Parliament and the Council of the 27 EU countries reached an agreement on this in the early hours of Thursday. Critics were unable to prevail with their consumer protection

Cherry, the internationally renowned peripherals manufacturer from Auerbach in the Upper Palatinate region of Germany, is ceasing its German production after 60 years. Cherry became particularly famous for its iconic keyboards, which are expected to continue being manufactured in the Far East. Production in Germany, however, is no longer profitable, according to management. (WinFuture, 27.11.2025)

The European Commission wants to secure access to raw materials such as lithium and rare earth elements for European companies. Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné presented his plans for a European Centre for Critical Raw Materials in Brussels on Wednesday. This centre would coordinate joint purchases by several EU member states and create stockpiles. The aim

Battery storage systems are considered an indispensable component of Germany’s energy transition. They are being registered with grid operators on a massive scale, but most are not being built. The reasons are manifold, the consequences precarious. (focus, 02.12.2025) Example of a solar park in Zerbst In November 2025, a massive solar park covering 41 hectares

A survey has revealed that a majority of employees in Germany support limiting their working hours. 72 percent of those surveyed want to restrict their daily working time to a maximum of eight hours, as announced by the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) in Berlin on Thursday. DGB Chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi criticized any potential weakening

As is well known, the North Sea, with its strong winds, is an ideal location for wind power generation. The relatively shallow waters make the construction of wind farms comparatively inexpensive. This has attracted investors in the past, such as the energy companies BP and Totalenergies, which paid a total of €12.6 billion for new

Business sentiment among German companies has barely improved this year after initial euphoria. The business climate index compiled by the Munich-based Ifo Institute rose by only about 2.8 points between January and November, falling significantly short of previous years’ figures, the institute announced on Thursday. This is practically tantamount to stagnation. The current business situation

Rising natural gas prices in the US are triggering a chain reaction on international markets. The sharp increase is not only affecting North America – costs for consumers in Germany are also rising noticeably again. An early onset of winter, record-high exports, fluctuating gas prices, increasing taxes and levies, and global energy supply are shaping

The economic impact of US tariffs and political instability has been less severe than expected. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) confirmed its forecast of 3.2 percent for global growth this year. “The global economy has been resilient this year, despite the anticipated slowdown due to increasing trade barriers and significant political uncertainty,”