According to the opinion of ADAC President Christian Reinicke, Germany will remain an automobile nation. “We are, above all, a nation of car drivers. And what the German values in their car is that it can be a reliable and safe companion for years to come” Reinicke told the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers (Friday editions).
If one holds these traits in high regard, there is no need to worry about the industry. At the same time, he said the automotive industry must react to the transformation. “It is and things are in motion” Reinicke added.
Looking ahead to a new government after the federal election, the ADAC President called for recognizing the car as a significant mode of transportation for many people. Many people are dependent on it, he said. “That means, in our view, it is necessary to make a clear commitment to individual transportation” Reinicke said.
For the financing of the expansion and maintenance of roads and bridges, Reinicke wishes for more targeted use of money from car drivers. Much of what car drivers pay into the state coffers is misused, the official said. “It must flow a higher proportion of that money into the rehabilitation of road infrastructure.” However, he noted that the backlog of repairs is so large that it would be a project spanning decades. Therefore, it is necessary to plan over legislative periods.