Merkel – s nightmare! United States set to decimate German car industy, World, News
Merkel’s nightmare! United States set to decimate German car industry after Trump threats
Germany`s car manufacturing heartland of Stuttgart is still reeling from the latest bans to diesel cars and a high-profile emissions scandal, and now faces the threat from Elon Musk`s Tesla which has moved into the city.
Tesla and Musk are hoping waltz in and capitalise on the failed efforts to produce green motor vehicles after German manufacturers were accused of forming a secret cartel to hide details of toxic emissions from their cars.
Auto giants Daimler, Volkswagen and BMW were all rocked by the allegations of collusion and the fallout from the scandal, which threatened confidence in Germany`s prized carmakers.
With the scandal menacing to make a mockery of Germany`s self-styled pic of being an environmentally-friendly industrial powerhouse, Telsa has opened a flagship store in the centre of Stuttgart.
Tesla bids to take over Angela Merkel’s German car industry rocked by scandal
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Despite being at the centre of Germany`s car industry, Stuttgart will be the very first city to ban diesel vehicles to combat the growing issue of pollution in the area.
Germans in the market for a green alternative to their car seemed amazed by Tesla`s tactics, with native businesses choosing the outskirts of the city instead of its centre to sell their cars.
Local entrepreneur Reinhard Moeller told the Guardian: «This is the future right here.
«I am a quality fanatic and Tesla is simply incredible.»
Another said he was sceptical about Ms Merkel`s green credentials, admitting he had voted for her to hold Europe together and combat Germany`s pollution challenges – something she is failing on.
«I only voted CDU because of Merkel,» Uwe Tiedemann said. «She keeps Europe together and she made us a leader in renewable energies.»
Ms Merkel and Germany have committed to being global leaders in clean energies, however many of her voters are unaware forty per cent of the country`s energy comes from coal and less than a third from renewable sources.
In June, her government blocked a European Union proposal to build compulsory charging stations for electrified cars like Tesla`s in car parks and large residential blocks.
Donald Trump, in May, proclaimed war on Germany`s car industry, promising to curb its car exports to the United States.
The US President called the Germans «very bad» in an unexpected outburst during a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.