http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Mon, 01 Apr 2019 22:09:50 +0200 Mon, 01 Apr 2019 22:09:50 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/porsche-s-quest-to-make-eco-friendly-sports-cars-a-1255149.html#ref=rss Porsche is trying to reinvent itself in the wake of Germany's diesel-emissions scandal by turning itself into an environmentally friendly sports-car company. It's a billion-euro bet with enormous possibilities -- and enormous risk. Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/porsche-s-quest-to-make-eco-friendly-sports-cars-a-1255149.html Porsche is trying to reinvent itself in the wake of Germany's diesel-emissions scandal by turning itself into an environmentally friendly sports-car company. It's a billion-euro bet with enormous possibilities -- and enormous risk.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/running-on-empty-germany-lags-behind-asia-in-e-car-battery-race-a-1254183.html#ref=rss The Chinese conglomerate CATL wants to build Europe's largest electric car battery plant near Erfurt, Germany. Having failed to build a gigafactory of their own, German carmakers are worried the project represents a mortal threat. Fri, 22 Feb 2019 16:40:15 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/running-on-empty-germany-lags-behind-asia-in-e-car-battery-race-a-1254183.html The Chinese conglomerate CATL wants to build Europe's largest electric car battery plant near Erfurt, Germany. Having failed to build a gigafactory of their own, German carmakers are worried the project represents a mortal threat. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-monkey-on-their-back-german-carmakers-have-lost-all-moral-standing-a-1191136.html#ref=rss The scandal over exhaust experiments on monkeys shows just how unscrupulous Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler are when it comes to manipulating the public. Anything goes when it comes to diverting attention from the dangers inherent in diesel. Fri, 02 Feb 2018 20:28:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/a-monkey-on-their-back-german-carmakers-have-lost-all-moral-standing-a-1191136.html The scandal over exhaust experiments on monkeys shows just how unscrupulous Volkswagen, BMW and Daimler are when it comes to manipulating the public. Anything goes when it comes to diverting attention from the dangers inherent in diesel.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cartel-suspicion-secret-price-fixing-among-german-carmakers-a-1190036.html#ref=rss After numerous scandals in recent years, the German automobile industry is facing scrutiny yet again. This time, VW, Daimler, BMW and Bosch are believed to have colluded on steel price fixing. Tue, 30 Jan 2018 16:17:16 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/cartel-suspicion-secret-price-fixing-among-german-carmakers-a-1190036.html After numerous scandals in recent years, the German automobile industry is facing scrutiny yet again. This time, VW, Daimler, BMW and Bosch are believed to have colluded on steel price fixing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/commissioner-vestager-on-possible-german-automaker-collusion-a-1180553.html#ref=rss EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, 49, has made a name for herself by taking on Google, Apple and Starbucks. She talks to DER SPIEGEL about her current investigation into possible automaker collusion and Facebook's responsibilities to its users. Tue, 28 Nov 2017 16:32:34 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/commissioner-vestager-on-possible-german-automaker-collusion-a-1180553.html EU Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, 49, has made a name for herself by taking on Google, Apple and Starbucks. She talks to DER SPIEGEL about her current investigation into possible automaker collusion and Facebook's responsibilities to its users.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/volkswagen-relies-on-luxembourg-to-save-on-taxes-a-1175060.html#ref=rss Volkswagen has established several companies in Luxembourg in recent years, worth a total of 17 billion euros. The structure has raised suspicions that the German carmaker is trying to sidestep the tax office back home. Sat, 28 Oct 2017 11:14:01 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/volkswagen-relies-on-luxembourg-to-save-on-taxes-a-1175060.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-three-students-who-discovered-dieselgate-a-1173686.html#ref=rss The diesel emissions scandal has already cost Volkswagen 25 billion euros, and no end is in sight. But how did it start? In a corrugated iron shack in the forests of West Virginia, discovered by a trio of university students. Mon, 23 Oct 2017 10:26:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/the-three-students-who-discovered-dieselgate-a-1173686.html The diesel emissions scandal has already cost Volkswagen 25 billion euros, and no end is in sight. But how did it start? In a corrugated iron shack in the forests of West Virginia, discovered by a trio of university students.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-end-of-a-legend-made-in-germany-label-sours-as-car-scandal-rages-a-1161376.html#ref=rss Germany's diesel scandal occurred because the government has long been too lenient on the automobile industry. Deep ties between politicians and the sector allowed the situation to get out of hand, with enormous damage to the country's reputation as one of the world's best carmakers. <i>By SPIEGEL Staff</i> Fri, 04 Aug 2017 20:20:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-end-of-a-legend-made-in-germany-label-sours-as-car-scandal-rages-a-1161376.html Germany's diesel scandal occurred because the government has long been too lenient on the automobile industry. Deep ties between politicians and the sector allowed the situation to get out of hand, with enormous damage to the country's reputation as one of the world's best carmakers. By SPIEGEL Staff ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-cartel-collusion-between-germany-s-biggest-carmakers-a-1159471.html#ref=rss The diesel scandal is not a failure on the part of individual companies, but rather the result of collusion among German automakers that lasted for years. Audi, BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and Porsche coordinated their activities in more than a thousand meetings. The exposure of a cartel. Thu, 27 Jul 2017 14:10:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/the-cartel-collusion-between-germany-s-biggest-carmakers-a-1159471.html The diesel scandal is not a failure on the part of individual companies, but rather the result of collusion among German automakers that lasted for years. Audi, BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and Porsche coordinated their activities in more than a thousand meetings. The exposure of a cartel.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-government-at-odds-with-industry-over-electric-cars-a-1123436.html#ref=rss The government in Berlin fears that German automobile companies are lagging behind as electric cars pick up speed around the world. Faced with immense challenges and the potential loss of tens of thousands of jobs, the industry is still pushing its gas guzzlers. Thu, 01 Dec 2016 15:28:05 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-government-at-odds-with-industry-over-electric-cars-a-1123436.html The government in Berlin fears that German automobile companies are lagging behind as electric cars pick up speed around the world. Faced with immense challenges and the potential loss of tens of thousands of jobs, the industry is still pushing its gas guzzlers.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/falsified-emissions-scandal-push-volkswagen-to-limits-a-1055897.html#ref=rss Volkswagen is struggling to come to terms with the vast emissions scandal of its own making. Lawsuits, official inquiries, a potential ratings downgrade: The company is facing myriad risks. The ultimate price tag could be in the tens of billions. Fri, 02 Oct 2015 17:59:42 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/falsified-emissions-scandal-push-volkswagen-to-limits-a-1055897.html Volkswagen is struggling to come to terms with the vast emissions scandal of its own making. Lawsuits, official inquiries, a potential ratings downgrade: The company is facing myriad risks. The ultimate price tag could be in the tens of billions.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/vw-scandal-shows-german-companies-are-no-longer-big-league-a-1055098.html#ref=rss Arrogance and complacency are widespread in Germany industry, with Volkswagen becoming just the most recent example. For the German economy to remain healthy, fundamental changes are necessary. Wed, 30 Sep 2015 12:01:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/vw-scandal-shows-german-companies-are-no-longer-big-league-a-1055098.html Arrogance and complacency are widespread in Germany industry, with Volkswagen becoming just the most recent example. For the German economy to remain healthy, fundamental changes are necessary. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-economy-hit-by-us-eu-sanctions-on-russia-a-982075.html#ref=rss The United States and Europe last week announced the imposition of stronger sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. German industry may be among the losers. Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:11:09 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/german-economy-hit-by-us-eu-sanctions-on-russia-a-982075.html The United States and Europe last week announced the imposition of stronger sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. German industry may be among the losers.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/toyota-develops-new-fuel-cell-car-a-930834.html#ref=rss Toyota has developed a new long-range electric vehicle powered entirely by a cutting-edge fuel cell. The project represents a dramatic departure from the goal of developing a mass-produced, effective, battery-driven electric car. But what does it mean for our future? Fri, 01 Nov 2013 11:16:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/toyota-develops-new-fuel-cell-car-a-930834.html Toyota has developed a new long-range electric vehicle powered entirely by a cutting-edge fuel cell. The project represents a dramatic departure from the goal of developing a mass-produced, effective, battery-driven electric car. But what does it mean for our future?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cdu-gets-donation-from-bmw-owners-during-co2-talks-a-927954.html#ref=rss Just weeks after the German election, Angela Merkel's conservatives received donations totalling 690,000 euros from the family that owns almost half of BMW. The payment coincides with Berlin's forceful intervention to halt tough new CO2 curbs for carmakers in the EU. Tue, 15 Oct 2013 17:46:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/cdu-gets-donation-from-bmw-owners-during-co2-talks-a-927954.html Just weeks after the German election, Angela Merkel's conservatives received donations totalling 690,000 euros from the family that owns almost half of BMW. The payment coincides with Berlin's forceful intervention to halt tough new CO2 curbs for carmakers in the EU.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/vw-to-end-production-of-kombi-t2-van-in-brazil-a-920228.html#ref=rss Only Brazil still produces the classic 56-year-old VW camper van, but not for much longer. With a final special edition series of the beloved vehicle wrapping up before year's end, the race is on for those looking to buy used models. Fri, 06 Sep 2013 13:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/vw-to-end-production-of-kombi-t2-van-in-brazil-a-920228.html Only Brazil still produces the classic 56-year-old VW camper van, but not for much longer. With a final special edition series of the beloved vehicle wrapping up before year's end, the race is on for those looking to buy used models. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/car-sharing-increasingly-popular-in-german-cities-a-913891.html#ref=rss As collaborative consumption becomes increasingly mainstream, many young Germans are starting to see vehicle ownership as inconvenient and old-fashioned. Keen to keep up, the auto industry is turning to car-sharing. Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:54:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/car-sharing-increasingly-popular-in-german-cities-a-913891.html As collaborative consumption becomes increasingly mainstream, many young Germans are starting to see vehicle ownership as inconvenient and old-fashioned. Keen to keep up, the auto industry is turning to car-sharing.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-delays-eu-decision-on-lower-co2-emissions-for-cars-a-908176.html#ref=rss There were threats, lobbying and even a call from Chancellor Merkel to the Irish prime minister. In the end, Germany got its way and managed to delay an EU decision on lowering the amount of CO2 European-made cars may emit. Thu, 27 Jun 2013 13:44:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/germany-delays-eu-decision-on-lower-co2-emissions-for-cars-a-908176.html There were threats, lobbying and even a call from Chancellor Merkel to the Irish prime minister. In the end, Germany got its way and managed to delay an EU decision on lowering the amount of CO2 European-made cars may emit. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mini-hot-rod-is-made-in-hamburg-and-approved-for-road-use-a-900570.html#ref=rss The mini hot rod looks like an outsize toy, and its Hamburg-based creators still can't quite believe it's street legal. It offers drivers as much fun as can be had behind a steering wheel, and a bit of discomfort is a small price to pay. Fri, 17 May 2013 18:40:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/the-mini-hot-rod-is-made-in-hamburg-and-approved-for-road-use-a-900570.html The mini hot rod looks like an outsize toy, and its Hamburg-based creators still can't quite believe it's street legal. It offers drivers as much fun as can be had behind a steering wheel, and a bit of discomfort is a small price to pay.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-car-industry-winners-and-losers-drift-further-apart-a-882694.html#ref=rss A two-tiered industry is emerging among European automakers. While German brands BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen are reporting record profits, competitors Opel, Peugeot, Renault and Fiat are struggling to survive. Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:06:41 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/european-car-industry-winners-and-losers-drift-further-apart-a-882694.html