'Lost year': Germany electric car sales go into reverse

Sales of new electric vehicles in Germany plunged last year, official figures showed Monday, as a slow switch to battery-powered cars deepened the woes of the country's flagship auto industry.Just 380,609 EVs were registered in 2024 in Europe's largest auto market, 27.4 percent fewer than in the previous year, the KBA federal transport authority said.After years of growth, demand for battery-powered cars lost momentum as the German economy has struggled and key subsidies were withdrawn.The slump in EV sales amounted to a "lost year for electro-mobility", said EY analyst Constantin Gall.AFP/File | Ronny HARTMANNThe sudden end of the support programme in 2023 amid a government budget crisis had led to "massive uncertainty among potential buyers", he said.High prices for new EV models, still patchy charging infrastructure and range limitations were putting off new buyers in Germany, he said.The drop in EV sales led an overall decline in the German car market, which has struggled to recover since the coronavirus pandemic.Some 2.8 million new cars were sold in 2024 in Europe's top economy,...

Read More........ → January 21, 2025

AHK Sri Lanka organises first-ever delegation to ‘Hannover Messe 2024’ in Germany

With the aim of promoting investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and building confidence among current and potential investors, the German Industry and Commerce Delegation to Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) organised a three-day delegation to the Hannover Messe from 24 to 26 April.AHK Sri Lanka had invited Minister of State for Investor Promotion Dilum Amunugama to lead the delegation along with other Government officials and representation of the Sri Lankan business community. This was the first time that Sri Lanka had officially participated at the Hannover Messe which is considered to be the world’s leading industrial trade fair.During the visit, AHK Sri Lanka organised meetings with potential investors such as Hamburg Port Consulting, Linde Engineering, and SAP, and facilitated site visits to prominent establishments such as Continental Tires, one of the world’s largest tyre manufacturers. These engagements provided valuable insights into Sri Lanka’s business environment and investment opportunities, further bolstering investor confidence.State Minister Amunugama observed that as Germany...

Read More........ → May 29, 2024

18 years on, Germany hopes to relive World Cup 'fairytale' with Euro 2024

BERLIN - As Germany prepares to host Euro 2024, the 2006 World Cup -- the last major international football tournament on German soil -- still plays a formative role in the nation's collective consciousness.Now widely known as the Summer Fairytale (Sommermaerchen), the tournament is remembered as the moment a unified Germany shook off the shadows of its dark past and showed the world a new, modern face.On the field, the German team coached by Jurgen Klinsmann overcame dire pre-tournament predictions to make it to the semi-finals.Despite losing in extra time to eventual champions Italy and eventually finishing third, Germany's performance kick-started a decade of dominance that peaked with the 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil.Off the field, the tournament changed not only the way the world saw Germany, but the manner in which Germany saw itself.Philipp Lahm, a key player in 2006 who captained Germany to World Cup glory eight years later, told AFP: "In 2006 we were able to experience the whole nation standing behind the team and giving us energy."The celebrations are good. That people...

Read More........ → May 15, 2024

Solar Balconies Are Booming in Germany and You Can Plug in and Install Them Yourself

A solar balcony from Ertex Solar Austria.Solar panels are finding their way onto all sorts of surprising surfaces, and now Central Europeans are beginning to line their balcony rails with them; because why not?To mark the 70th anniversary of the solar cell’s mainstream entry into society, data acquired by Euronews claims that 400,000 German households have already connected their verandas and balconies to solar panels.New data shows at least 50,000 of the PV devices were added in the first quarter of 2024 alone.Easy to install—such that many do it themselves, the technology makes every bit of sense as rooftop PV solar panels. In the Northern Hemisphere, during the winter months especially, the sun comes at such a shallow angle that panels on a balcony may even exceed the power generation of those mounted on a roof.They won’t generate more power, because they’re plugged into smaller sockets, but they present less of a hazard than rooftop solar, and may not even require installation fees. They can also be installed where people may not have the requisite sunlight, the property access,...

Read More........ → April 27, 2024

Merkel, Macron meet as Germany takes on high-stakes EU presidency

Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron AFP/Berlin: Chancellor Angela Merkel hosts French President Emmanuel Macron for talks on Monday, days before Germany takes on the rotating presidency of the European Union with the economy in the throes of the most severe storm since World War II. Berlin's chairing of the 26-member bloc will be its last with Merkel in charge, and could be the one that defines the legacy of the leader dubbed the ‘eternal chancellor’. With the future of the bloc's relationship with Britain to be determined, a crucial shift to a lower carbon world in the balance and crises from Libya to Syria all jostling for attention, there is no shortage of burning issues to tackle. But the COVID0-19 pandemic and the economic devastation it has wrought have become a bull in the painstakingly arranged EU china shop. ‘This crisis that we're currently experiencing is different compared to any other we have experienced since the founding of Europe,’ Merkel, in power since 2005, told parliament in an address laying out priorities for the EU...

Read More........ → July 12, 2020

Some 4,000 volunteer to test coronavirus vaccine in German study

Some 4,000 volunteers have registered as subjects for a coronavirus vaccination study at the University Hospital in the south-western German city of Tuebingen. ‘It's a real luxury situation, unlike usual clinical trials,’ study director Peter Kremsner told dpa on Friday. ‘Normally we have trouble coming up with enough test subjects.’ A clinical study began at the university clinic in mid-June to test the tolerability of a vaccine developed by the Tuebingen biopharmaceutical company CureVac. Since then, around 50 people have received the drug. According to Kremsner, no surprising side effects have yet occurred. So far everything has been fine, Kremsner said, adding that the study had not revealed any sensational or concerning findings. Not all of the people who volunteered will be able to take part. A total of 168 subjects are to be vaccinated - in addition to Tuebingen, also in test centres in Hanover and Munich, as well as Ghent, Belgium. The clinical trial is a so-called phase 1 trial. If it is successful, investigations with significantly more test subjects...

Read More........ → July 11, 2020

Volkswagen to cut 30,000 jobs to save $3.9 bn

Volkswagen AG today announced that it will cut around 30,000 jobs globally in order to save €3.7 billion ($3.9 billion) in expenses, as the German carmaker seeks to recover from the emissions scandal, which has so far cost it $20 billion. The car giant, which employs 624,000 people in 34 countries, said that the 30,000 job cuts include 23,000 in Germany, but will create 9,000 new jobs as it shifts to electric and self-drive technology. This exercise should bring in annual savings of $3.9 billion (€3.7 billion) by 2020. The company said that the plan is the most radical in its history. Volkswagen executive in charge of VW brand cars, Herbert Diess, said that the company needed to brace itself for drastic changes as the automobile industry shifted to electric vehicles. Volkswagen CEO, Matthias Mueller, said it was ''the biggest modernisation programme in the history of the group's core brand.'' ''The VW brand needs a real shake-up and that is exactly what the future pact has turned out to be,'' he added. Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker, has been grappling...

Read More........ → November 21, 2016

Merkel named Time’s Person of the Year

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Time magazine today named German Chancellor Angela Merkel its "Person of the Year 2015", saying her deft leadership has helped preserve and promote an open, borderless Europe in the face of economic turmoil, ongoing refugee and the Ukraine crises. She beat some of the world's best-known politicians and leaders including Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Russian President Vladimir Putin, ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump for the annual honour. "At a moment when much of the world is once more engaged in a furious debate about the balance between safety and freedom, the Chancellor is asking a great deal of the German people, and by their example, the rest of us as well. To be welcoming. To be unafraid. To believe that great civilizations build bridges, not walls, and that wars are won both on and off the battlefield," Time said. Time said Merkel was chosen as the person of the year because she is the "de facto leader" of a continent. — PTI. Source: Article...

Read More........ → December 10, 2015

German apple queens visit Chancellery

The German Chancellery, normally only a place where top politicians convene, was host to seven apple queens from various German cultivation areas on October 8, German website Fruchthandel.de reports.In front of the Chancellery's cabinet room, they presented richly filled fruit baskets with various German apple varieties to Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Federal Ministers and State Secretaries. Angela Merkel was pleased with a very extraordinary basket: hers was completely filled with Boskoop apples, the Chancellor's favourite apple. The other cabinet members were also presented with freshly harvested apples by the ambassadors. Apart from the red Boskoop, the fruit baskets contained the Elstar, Jonagold, Holsteiner Cox and Jonagored varieties. The apple queens' visit to the Chancellery is a tradition in Germany. At the start of the season, the apple queens celebrate the apple harvest in Germany by presenting the fruit baskets. Source: Articl...

Read More........ → October 19, 2014

TVS Motor to roll out bikes for BMW next year

Chennai, May 5 (IANS) Two- and three-wheeler maker TVS Motor Company will start rolling out bikes  for German auto major BMW during the second half of next year, a top company official said Monday. The company will also launch new products to fill up the vacuum in its product line-up. Speaking about the tie-up with the German group, Venu Srinivasan, chairman and managing director of TVS Motor, told newsmen: "It will be ready in the second half of next calendar year. It will be brand new platform for the BMW." Last year TVS Motor and BMW signed an agreement to jointly develop motorcycles in the 250-500cc range to be sold through their respective distribution network. The company has invested around Rs.150 crore for the project and will be using its existing and new vendor base for making the bikes. Meanwhile, launching the company's new Star City Plus 110cc motorcycle priced at Rs.44,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi), Srinivasan said the company will be introducing new products in bikes as well as scooter segment every quarter to fill up its product line. He said the company will...

Read More........ → May 05, 2014

Spied: BMW Gets to Work on Next Generation 5-Series

Much in the same way as humans and animals, automobiles are also tied to the vicious cycle of life and death. At the same time that the first examples of the facelifted BMW 5-Series F10 sedan, F11 Touring and F07 Gran Turismo models are arriving in dealerships across the world, the engineering minds in Munich have started field tests of the car that will gradually replace them starting from late 2016 or early 2017. Our spy photographers nabbed one of the very first camouflaged prototypes of the next generation 5-Series in Touring (station wagon) shape as it was being transferred on a delivery truck. It's too early and there are too many dummy panels on the test car to know definite details, butthe new 5er is expected to benefit from a weight reduction and new tech features, all while evolving the design of the current model. By the time the next 5-Series arrives, further advancements in the field of hybrid powerplants and electric motors will allow BMW to expand its range as well. Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoop, Source: Carscoop...

Read More........ → July 09, 2013

Kia Guns for BMW with New Cross GT Concept at Chicago Auto Show

Whereas Germany's premium carmakers are looking to expand their reach in smaller segments, Korea's Hyundai and Kia are actively flirting with the idea of enhancing their range with more premium and larger-size vehicles. At this week's Chicago Auto Show, Kia pulled the covers off the new Cross GT concept, which it describes as "blurring the line" between GT sedan study and a luxury crossover vehicle. The reference to the rear-wheel drive GT sedan also has to do with the fact that the Cross GT is based on the same chassis. The Koreans state that, while purely conceptual,the Cross GT reveals the brand's "intentions to potentially offer a larger premium SUV than the current Sorento in certain markets". Kia may not say it directly, but with this concept, it is aiming towards the likes of the BMW X5 and X6. At 122.0 inches (3,099mm), the Cross GT’s wheelbase is longer than Sorento’s by 15.7 inches (399mm), and its overall length of 192.8 inches (4,897mm) is 8.4 inches (213mm) greater than Kia's CUV. Also, with a width of 79.1-inch (2,009mm), it's 4.9 inches (124mm) wider than Sorento,...

Read More........ → February 27, 2013

iTunes Store Sets New Record with 25 Billion Songs Sold

California: Apple announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 25 billion songs from the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com), the world’s most popular online music, TV and movie store. The 25 billionth song, “Monkey Drums” (Goksel Vancin Remix) by Chase Buch, was purchased by Phillip Lüpke from Germany. As the downloader of the 25 billionth song, Phillip will receive a €10,000 iTunes Gift Card. “We are grateful to our users whose passion for music over the past 10 years has made iTunes the number one music retailer in the world,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “Averaging over 15,000 songs downloaded per minute, the iTunes Store connects music fans with their favourite artists, including global sensations like Adele and Coldplay and new artists like The Lumineers, on a scale we never imagined possible.” “In a lot of ways, iTunes has leveled the playing field for musicians. Whether you’re unsigned, indie, major, whatever—it’s the place most people go to buy digital music,” said Wesley Schultz, guitarist and lead vocalist...

Read More........ → February 15, 2013

Carscoop's A-Z Guide to the 2013 Detroit Motor Show, the Final List

The North American International Auto Show(NAIAS) that takes place in Detroit is the first major event of the year for the automotive industry. In 2013, the show opens its doors on January 14 for the media and on the 19th for the public, who can visit the Cobo Center until the 27th and view all the new models on display. Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated premiere is that of the all-new, seventh-generationCorvette. GM, however, has a second ace up its sleeve for the 2013 NAIAS: the world debut of the Cadillac ELR hybrid coupe, aka the production version of the Converj concept that was launched at the same event four years ago. Germany's premium carmakers are also coming on strong – something only natural, since the U.S. market is extremely valuable to them. BMW has chosen Detroit to preview its brand-new 4-Series, the coupe version of the 3-Series saloon that may be billed as a concept, but is effectively ready to enter production. Munich's archrival, Mercedes-Benz, will premiere the CLA premium compact saloon and the heavily revised E-Class in both saloon and convertible...

Read More........ → January 16, 2013

Blackberrys’ looking at adding more EBOs

With the target of touching Rs 630 crores this year, men’s formal and casual wear label Blackberrys from Mohan Clothing Company plans to perk up its EBO presence by launching 10 more outlets by this year-end. “Apart from increasing our store count from 150 to 160 by end of 2012, we are adding to our MBOs in the south and exploring export opportunities. We are currently present in 800 MBOs and large formats like Shoppers Stop, Lifestyle and Central,” explains Yogesh Tiwari, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Mohan Clothing Company. Established in 1991, Blackberrys is a leading Indian men’s wear brand. Over the years, it has established itself as the manufacturer of trousers, suits and jackets, gradually completing the wardrobe look with shirts and accessories. “The model is based on a design conscious product delivery system with a strong back-up of global and local sourcing. Catering to the self assured and confident youth, we stand for innovations in product and have created a strong image of ‘sharp edged clothing’, says Tiwari, adding, “Blackberrys is equipped with the...

Read More........ → January 01, 2013

Hitler is back?

Recently the name of Adolf Hitler, the former leader of National Socialism, who drew the German people and the whole humankind into the bloodiest war of the XX century, which burned the lives of 60 million people, has more and more often appeared in mass media.  By: N. Pavlova, Hitler's name has been surfacing here and there in different context. In Austria the tomb stone on Hitler's parent's grave was destroyed, since it had turned into a place of worship of neo-Nazi and extremists. Turkey banned the video with Germany's Reichkanzler advertising men's shampoo. In India the owner of a men's clothing store called his store with the Fuhrer's name in order to draw customers, causing the Jewish community of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat to appeal to have him change the store sign. Last summer, the Italian prosecutors received a signal that some wine trader sold wine in bottles with the labels depicting the portraits of Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. The prosecutors started investigation based on the complaint filed by an American couple, whose relatives died...

Read More........ → December 23, 2012

Google Play for UK, Germany and France

Google has confirmed in a Google TV blog post that starting November 13th, Google Play music and movies will be available on Google TV in the UK, Germany and France. The post updated an earlier comment that suggested the service was launching in more countries on that date, “but stay tuned as we’re bringing Google Play to more countries all the time,” said Google. The superseded post had suggested that Australia and Canada would also see launches. Source: Advanced Televisio...

Read More........ → December 02, 2012

Q3 roundup of global retail leaders

In the third of this year's regular series of updates, IGD retail have rounded up the main developments at the leading global grocery retailers - Carrefour, Tesco, Metro and Walmart - since August. Divestment has been key feature for Carrefour: (1) In the fourth quarter Carrefour announced the sale of its business in Colombia to Cencosud, and of its Malaysian operations to Japanese retailer Aeon. Carrefour is clearly prioritising resource allocation to more mature markets where it holds a strong position, and emerging markets where it can harness growth potential (2) At the first half results presentation, when a 0.9% increase in net sales was reported, CEO Georges Plassat also outlined three areas of future focus: assets, merchandise and people (3) A survey by French trade magazine Linéaires revealed that Carrefour significantly lowered prices over the first half, closing the gap with price leader Leclerc and showing that in France, the group is well on the way to delivering EDLP. The price initiatives are beginning to kick in, and Q3 results indicated signs...

Read More........ → November 16, 2012

Royal wedding puts Luxembourg in the spotlight

Luxembourg becomes the world's spotlight at the wedding of Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Sophie de Lannoy The wedding of Grand Duke Guillaume and Countess Sophie de Lannoy, dubbed as the wedding of the year, puts Luxembourg in the spotlight. The world’s only Grand Duchy, and one of the smallest country’s in the world, rarely enjoys this media frenzy, let alone a gathering of some of the world’s most glamorous personalities, heads of states, dignitaries. Luxembourg is an independent country smaller than the smallest U.S. state, Rhode Island. It would certainly fit 138 times in its neighboring country, Germany. It didn’t win any medal at the recent London Olympics and in fact, the last it did was during the 1952 games. But despite this, Luxembourgers enjoy a lifestyle better off than the U.S., or any of the biggest countries for that matter. In fact, the grand duchy enjoys the distinction as one of the most developed countries, with an advanced economy. It’s the second wealthiest countries in terms of per capita income, at a little over $80,000. The country...

Read More........ → October 22, 2012

First organic supermarket in Germany opened 25 years ago

Photographs of the first Alnatura-shop  A quarter of a century ago the success story of the now 70 Alnatura Super Natur Shops started. The first shop of the bio-trader from Hessen opened on 1 October 1987 in Mannheim. At that time that was the first organic supermarket in Germany. A year before this the first organic products under hallmark Alnatura were already on the shelves. Founder and general director Götz Rehn remembers the rough start well. "Many friends and family members have assisted in the realisation of the first shop. Without their help and effort we would never have succeeded." The clients quickly adopted this rather new concept. And within a short time more Alnatura shops opened in Karlsruhe, Kassel and Darmstadt. This was followed by a steady  increase in of the number shops. At the moment there are 70 Alnatura shops in 39 towns. For the new book year the company plans to open 12 new shops. Amongst others in Frankfurt, München and Berlin. Since this summer clients are also welcome in Switzerland. On 30 August last the first...

Read More........ → October 14, 2012