A position paper outlining the future of the German automotive industry, co-authored by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) parliamentary group, has emerged, sparking discussion regarding its content and collaborative process. The document, titled “Position Paper for IAA 2025” refers to the International Motor Show in Munich scheduled for early September.
The paper addresses concerns regarding the transition to electric vehicles, with a passage noting the potential for reduced employment and urging policymakers to incentivize future investments within Germany to generate new jobs. It further advocates for improved mobile network infrastructure along highways and calls for additional funding from a dedicated infrastructure fund to modernize highways and federal roads.
The collaborative nature of the document’s creation is evident through annotations visibly marked in red, seemingly added by Bundestag member Tilman Kuban or his staff. These annotations frequently reinforce the positions outlined by the VDA. A proposed national program aimed at streamlining bureaucracy with clearly defined, measurable goals and the potential repeal of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, are among the suggestions marked for further consideration.
While the CDU parliamentary group proposes a qualification program for employees, a red annotation directly challenges this, stating that current circumstances, characterized by job losses and not a shortage of skilled labor, align with the VDA’s own assessment. The paper expresses concerns over the abrupt phase-out of internal combustion engines, mirroring a longstanding position championed by the VDA. Further amendments suggest removal of what is described as overly restrictive emission regulations and advocate for the elimination or suspension of associated financial penalties.
The VDA emphasizes the necessity of proactive expansion of electricity and hydrogen networks, with an accompanying note suggesting this point be prioritized. When contacted for comment, the CDU parliamentary group declined to provide specific remarks regarding the document’s contents but did not deny its existence.
The VDA considers the collaborative process to be a standard democratic practice, asserting that industry associations, non-governmental organizations and companies are routinely consulted by policymakers for their expertise in the development of policy papers and the formulation of positions. The organization highlighted that the ultimate inclusion of specific perspectives rests with the initiating party.