'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of growth, demand for battery-powered cars lost momentum as the German economy has struggled and key subsidies were withdrawn.The slump in EV sales amounted to a "lost year for electro-mobility", said EY analyst Constantin Gall.AFP/File | Ronny HARTMANNThe sudden end of the support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,...
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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...
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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...
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