What is going well for you personally in Germany?
Germany is much better than the picture that is currently being painted. Other countries also have economic challenges. But what is true is that global competition is becoming significantly stronger. In the current situation, we in Germany have to tackle the problems and solve them. Don’t complain, just look forward. This has always made our country strong. We have it in our own hands to shape our future.
In the Volkswagen Group and at Porsche, we are firmly committed to Germany as an industrial location, investing in our company locations and thereby securing jobs. It is crucial to play to your own strengths, to act globally with a future-oriented strategy, to act regionally and to think in terms of opportunities.
Why is it worth investing and working in this country?
Germany is the best possible location for our industry. German cars enjoy a high reputation worldwide. Many icons of automotive history were created in Germany. The German car companies stand for pioneering spirit, precision, fantastic brands and decades of experience and success.
All of this is based on one important foundation: highly qualified and motivated people in our companies in Germany. They advance our economy. Our system of dual vocational training is highly respected worldwide. Our universities are highly regarded. Our research facilities enjoy worldwide fame. The inventiveness of our companies is the recipe for success, which can be seen in the large number of their patents. We are also open to learning from others. We look for strong partners to drive developments forward together – and to benefit from them together.
When it comes to the future of the German economy: What opportunities do you see?
Our industry will change more in the next 5 years than in the past 50 years overall. Our chances of emerging as winners from this transformation are good. We in Germany have many trump cards in global competition.
What we also need are even better research and industry-friendly framework conditions. Now we have to systematically and strategically define the technology fields that will advance the location. In areas such as software, semiconductors, battery technologies, renewable energies, automobiles, chemistry or medicine.
Overall, Germany is still too stuck in its usual structures. With attractive funding for jobs, tax revenue and prosperity, we can advance our location even further. It is important that we show perspectives and provide orientation. That we focus and speed up. This is a joint task between business, politics and society.