Mahle, a major automotive supplier, is warning of potentially significant job losses across Europe if the transition away from the internal combustion engine (ICE) proceeds at its current pace. Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Management Board, stated that the company employs 30,000 individuals in Europe, with 9,300 based in Germany. He projects a reduction of approximately two-thirds of this workforce in both regions should the ICE market disappear.
Franz is advocating for a substantial revision of European CO2 fleet regulations. He proposes a model similar to that in China, where a wider range of vehicle types are considered emissions-free beyond purely battery-electric vehicles. These include plug-in hybrids, range extenders and internal combustion engines running entirely on sustainable fuels.
The executive is urging the German government to take a proactive stance in its dialogue with the European Commission. He emphasized the importance of Germany actively participating in shaping the strategic direction, stating that inaction could have serious consequences.
Mahle is facing a critical juncture. Franz indicates that the company must soon decide how to evolve its global production network and whether to continue investing in internal combustion engine technology within Europe. He stressed the pressing need for regulatory clarity to avoid a situation where, in three to four years, Europe finds itself in the same predicament as today – but with options exhausted.