Press Release No. 14/2016 IG Metall and Works Councils in the Automotive Industry Welcome Funding Program for Electric Mobility

Frankfurt am Main – IG Metall has praised the federal government’s subsidy program for electric cars as the right decision to secure sustainable jobs. “This step was urgently needed. I expect the legal framework for implementation to be established quickly now. But the ball is now in the companies’ court. Concrete investments in manufacturing and value creation in Germany are needed. Battery production plays a key role here,” said Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall, on Wednesday in Frankfurt.

The works council chairs of automakers BMW, Daimler, and VW also expressed their support for the subsidy package for electric cars:
Manfred Schoch, Chairman of the General Works Council at BMW AG: “The automotive industry in Germany is facing a profound technological transformation. Electric mobility will shape the future of our jobs. I am glad that the federal government has finally recognized that, from an industrial policy perspective, this technological transformation must be actively shaped by companies, unions, and the government. Yesterday’s decision is a first positive step toward preserving jobs in Germany.”

Michael Brecht, Chairman of the General Works Council of Daimler AG: “We have long advocated for the promotion of electric vehicle purchases in Germany. In this regard, we welcome the agreement now reached with the federal government. A comparison with other countries clearly shows that the market for electric vehicles must first be kickstarted if it is to develop successfully. Drivers are more likely to choose an environmentally friendly electric car if they receive support when purchasing these still-more-expensive vehicles and if there is a good infrastructure in place. That is what we mean by sensible industrial policy.”

Bernd Osterloh, Chairman of the VW Group Works Council: “Angela Merkel and Sigmar Gabriel have taken the right step here to ensure that electric mobility can gain a sustainable foothold in Germany. Germany must become the leading market for electric mobility. Then we can also successfully bring electric vehicles to the global market. That is why the support now agreed upon is the right move. We expect Volkswagen’s Executive Board to make an equally clear commitment to electric mobility at our German plants during our discussions with them regarding the Future Pact for our German plants. Research and development must take place in Germany, as must key stages of value creation. For us, this also means that we must seriously discuss cell production.”