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German car manufacturers in e-mobility: A step down behind China!
Wolfsburg is at the center of e-mobility, while German car manufacturers such as VW and BMW are falling behind in the global ranking.
German car manufacturers in e-mobility: A step down behind China!
The world of automobile manufacturers is at a crossroads, and especially for the traditional German brands. A current analysis of the “Global Automaker Ratings” by the international environmental research association ICCT shows that German car brands such as Volkswagen (VW), Mercedes and BMW are losing massive ground compared to their Chinese competitors. News38 reports that these manufacturers have slipped significantly in the e-mobility ranking.
What is particularly noticeable is that VW is losing its position as one of the major players in the industry. Volkswagen fell from seventh to eighth place, while BMW slipped from third to fifth and Mercedes fell from fourth to seventh. Chinese manufacturers such as Geely and SAIC have overtaken the German brands and now occupy third and fourth places in the ranking. Despite a few scandals, Tesla remains the undisputed leader, followed by BYD, which sold more electric cars than Tesla itself for the first time in 2024.
China's advance in the market
The Chinese automobile manufacturers impressively show how it works. Loud ecomento China sells over 11 million electric cars annually, accounting for more than half of global sales. These companies benefit from a very large domestic market, which promotes both economies of scale and technological advances. Five Chinese brands occupy the top positions in model coverage and sales shares in the zero-emission vehicle sector.
Geely and SAIC even achieved an impressive electric vehicle quota of 50 percent, and BYD was able to boast that its sales figures for pure battery vehicles increased by 25 percent.
European car manufacturers under pressure
But things aren't looking rosy on the European stage either. The German automotive industry is currently clearly feeling that the pressure is increasing. ICCT Europe director Peter Mock spoke of a “missed opportunity” for 2024. It is not just the decline in the rankings that is a cause for concern. NEW REGISTRATIONS in Germany fell to 81,000 BEVs in the first quarter of 2024, a decline of 14%. In comparison, sales increased significantly in other countries such as the United Kingdom and France. The Auto Institute has determined that Germany had to give up its leading position as the leading European electrical market to the United Kingdom.
What's curious is that even though Tesla is down 9%, it still remains the market leader in the US with a 55% share of BEV sales. German manufacturers must act urgently to avoid completely losing touch.
Conclusion – need for action for German car brands
If you look at developments in the electric car market, it becomes clear: German car brands urgently need to rethink and adapt their strategies in order to survive in global competition. The ambitious goals in terms of sustainability and technological innovations are required in order not to sink further into insignificance. The automotive industry could be at a turning point, and the question of whether it can tackle it boldly remains open.