Mercedes CEO Warns Europe's Car Industry Could Collapse: 'We Need a Reality Check'

[cygnus]

Mercedes CEO Warns Europe's Car Industry Could Collapse: 'We Need a Reality Check'

Ola Kallenius, who is also the president of the European auto lobby ACEA, warns that the EU's ban on new gas car sales would have severe consequences.

www.motor1.com

 

[Mopar426]

He says this AFTER wasting billions on a bunch of ugly overpriced EVs that depreciate 60% in the first year and that 4cyl C63 AMG that nobody wants either. I predict hes the next CEO to get the boot

 

[cammerjeff]

He says this AFTER wasting billions on a bunch of ugly overpriced EVs that depreciate 60% in the first year and that 4cyl C63 AMG that nobody wants either. I predict hes the next CEO to get the boot

While I can not argue with your points, the article states he is mainly talking about undoing the EU's 2035 ban on ICE engines. Saying that the industry needs ICE engine sales in order to survive as the EV market has not gone as predicted.
IMO it is a bit harsh to bash him on the EV's development costs alone, as all automakers that want to sell new vehicles in the EU have to develop EV's unless the current regulations are modified in some way.
As always, just my 2 cents, others opinions may vary.

 

[Mopar426]

While I can not argue with your points, the article states he is mainly talking about undoing the EU's 2035 ban on ICE engines. Saying that the industry needs ICE engine sales in order to survive as the EV market has not gone as predicted.
IMO it is a bit harsh to bash him on the EV's development costs alone, as all automakers that want to sell new vehicles in the EU have to develop EV's unless the current regulations are modified in some way.
As always, just my 2 cents, others opinions may vary.

Predicted?

They would have found the same results by doing market research. They could have made an electric CLA type vehicle and saw how it did before committing to a whole line up of cars that look like used bars of soap.

Also - who told all the legacy auto makers that their EVs had to be designed to look like they came out in 2030 instead of 2020?

They fumbled the ball at every step and yes, should be held accountable.

The only company with a clue was Toyota

Any minute now we'll be seeing headlines how VW is screwed because they also jumped in with both feet, blind.