Dear reader,
Deutschland AG urgently needs good news. At the beginning of the week, the general feeling of crisis was accompanied by the news that the German foreign trade balance was negative for the first time since 2008.
Batteries, of all things, could provide new energy in the country – at least for the mobility industry. Volkswagen is laying the foundation stone for its first gigafactory in Salzgitter tomorrow, Northvolt also wants to manufacture battery cells in Heide from 2025, and Daimler Trucks is also considering its own production. Germany as a location still has to prove that it is really suitable for being a battery stronghold. The direction is right.
Our highlight topics this week:
How Thomas Schmall wants to lead Volkswagen’s battery offensive to success.
Why the mobility start-up Bolt sees the crisis as an opportunity for expansion.
Why four large car dealers are giving up their independence.