automobile
Daimler boss: Missing chips will also be a problem in 2022
According to Daimler CEO Ola Källenius, semiconductors will remain in short supply throughout the coming year. Photo: Marijan Murat / dpa
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The shortage in semiconductors is making the auto industry difficult. Daimler boss Källenius has not given the all-clear. Meanwhile, BMW warns of an exit date for combustion engines.
According to Daimler CEO Ola Källenius, semiconductors will remain in short supply throughout the coming year.
The situation with the chips is “very volatile” and sometimes characterized by uncertainty and volatility, warned Källenius at a “Handelsblatt” industry conference on Wednesday. “It will definitely keep us busy in the 2022 calendar year.”
The chip crisis is causing delays and turbulence in the industry worldwide. From July to the end of September, for example, Daimler restricted production several times, mainly because of the shortage. Cars are also on the dump because there are no chips. The manufacturers have to put some of the blame on themselves because they canceled contracts in the Corona low in 2020.
BMW is sticking to combustion engines
BMW boss Oliver Zipse warned at the online event against setting a date for the end of gasoline and diesel vehicles. “We believe this is harmful to the climate.” Not even in Germany and Europe are there enough charging stations for electric cars. There is also not enough green electricity. If new combustion engines were to be banned, old cars would be driven even longer. “Things are not thought through to the end here,” criticized Zipse.
At the world climate conference in Glasgow, 24 states and six major automakers want to set an end date for the sale and registration of cars with internal combustion engines. In the leading markets, only emission-free cars and vans should be on the road in 2035. According to the British host, the companies involved include Mercedes, Ford and General Motors. The German state is initially not participating in the alliance, as a spokesman for the Federal Environment Ministry said.
Next-generation electric cars from Wolfsburg
VW boss Herbert Diess wants to drive the upheaval at the entire Wolfsburg headquarters with the targeted new construction of his own plant for the coming generation of electric cars. “Trinity will revolutionize automobile manufacturing in Wolfsburg,” he announced at the industry event.
The VW boss pointed out the “shorter production times and more efficient types of cooperation” that such a factory could make possible – also in retrospect of the recent disputes with the works council about the transformation of jobs and processes.
Diess believes that an early catch-up to Tesla and improved productivity are essential if VW is to continue to play a dominant role in the industry. Last but not least, the corporate headquarters would have to change for this. A new location for Trinity is to be built near the VW main plant and also to help prepare for its conversion. Tesla is about to start a factory for e-cars and battery cells near Berlin.
Daimler is also planning a new plant – but for recycling in order to secure and reuse valuable raw materials, as Källenius said.
“We will also build a recycling factory ourselves so that we can master this technology and be able to do so.” The top manager did not give any details. Daimler wants to increase the proportion of recycled parts in its cars. Källenius also addressed battery cells. In the case of electric cars, it should be possible to use them again or to recycle them.