The EV Decline: German Automakers Shift Focus to Combustion Engines Amid Sales Slump

The sales of battery-powered vehicles are declining, leading to job cuts and reduced production shifts at VW and Porsche. Despite selling a record number of electric cars last year, VW’s battery-powered vehicles accounted for only a small percentage of total sales. The company has had to rely on combustion engine models to generate profits.

German buyers are shying away from electric vehicles, leading to a drop in sales and oversupply in the market. This is due to competition from Chinese manufacturers offering cheaper electric vehicles and political decisions like the cancellation of purchase premiums for electric cars. Some German manufacturers are shifting their focus back to combustion engines, acknowledging the challenges in the electric car market.

Mercedes-Benz and BMW are investing more in combustion engine development and production, while Volkswagen is looking to the state for support in overcoming the electric crisis. The company has called on the government to resume subsidy programs to promote electric vehicle sales. In response, some German automobile manufacturers are reevaluating their goals for electrification, while others like BMW are maintaining a balanced approach to both electric and combustion engine technologies.