The CEOs of Volkswagen and Mercedes, Oliver Blume and Ola Källenius, welcomed the trade agreement between India and the EU, which also contains a phased reduction of automotive tariffs.
Speaking to the German news broadcaster “Welt” on Tuesday, Mercedes’ chief executive told reporters that the deal is “very good news, for the EU, for Germany, but also for India”. Källenius added that strengthening trade ties with a fast‑growing economy would benefit the German export sector, calling it “the best news of the day”. He pointed out that Mercedes has long invested in India, involving research, development and production. With the market opening further, the company sees an opportunity to expand its presence even more.
Similarly, Volkswagen’s chairman, Oliver Blume, expressed his approval of the agreement when interviewed by “Welt”. He said he views the accord positively, noting that the Volkswagen Group operates globally and supports trade initiatives in all regions. Blume highlighted that India is now the world’s third‑largest automotive market and that the company will closely examine the agreement’s details, as India’s dynamic development offers possibilities for Volkswagen.