MÜNICH (dpa-AFX) - A glimmer of hope for Germany's recently beleaguered automotive industry: According to a recent survey, many people in Germany believe that the most competitive electric vehicles are manufactured domestically. 43 percent of respondents put Germany in the lead, followed by China with 23 percent.
This is one of the findings from a survey conducted by the consulting firm Oliver Wyman, obtained by the German Press Agency. According to the company, just over 1,000 people in Germany were surveyed online in November of last year. The survey is said to be representative.
Expert: Trust in Quality and Safety
"This is an opportunity to preserve and even increase the value creation of the automotive industry in Europe," said Simon Schnurrer, partner at Oliver Wyman, according to the statement. Schnurrer said the focus now needs to be on more specifically leveraging pricing arguments and digital strengths in order to turn the existing trust in quality and safety into clear and rapid purchasing decisions.
However, according to the survey, 42 percent of respondents would consider buying an e-car from a Chinese brand instead of a German one, mainly due to better pricing. In contrast, 34 percent said they would not consider this, most frequently citing concerns about quality and safety standards as their reasons.
In 2025, according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), more than 545,000 pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will have newly hit the road. Chinese providers have so far played only a limited role. However, for example, electronics giant BYD has recently recorded strong growth rates./rwi/DP/stk
