SPIEGEL ONLINE
- January 06, 2012
For years, foreign automobile companies have reaped most of the profits to be had in the enormous Chinese market. But in a largely unnoticed change, Beijing is now ending their preferential treatment of carmakers from abroad to focus more on developing domestic technology and brands. By Wieland Wagner in Beijing more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- November 10, 2011
As car ownership becomes less popular, German automakers are flooding major cities with affordable short-term rental cars in a wave of new car-sharing initiatives. But critics claim the programs, which are driven more by business than environmental concerns, may end up making urban congestion worse. By Christian Wüst more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- June 09, 2011
US car giant General Motors appears to be ready to sell its subsiary Opel once again, amid continuing losses at the German firm, SPIEGEL has learned. When GM abandoned a 2009 effort to sell the firm, the decision caused deep-seated tensions between the American company and the government in Berlin. By Dietmar Hawranek more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- September 28, 2010
Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn, 63, discusses his goal of replacing Toyota as the world's largest automaker, the risks associated with the Porsche takeover and the company's plans to turn around troubled units like Audi, SEAT and Skoda. more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- April 28, 2010
The German government wants to promote the development of electric vehicles on a grand scale. But many industry observers point out that the perceived benefits of e-cars are massively overrated. In some cases, their carbon footprint is even worse than that of conventional autos. By Dietmar Hawranek and Alexander Neubacher more... [ Forum ]
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- March 10, 2010
German auto giant Volkswagen is having trouble with its subsidiary Skoda. Not only are profits down at the Czech-based automaker, but its cars are now competing directly with VW models -- and in some cases are beating them in road tests. By Dietmar Hawranek more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- December 02, 2009
The long-running takeover battle between VW and Porsche has created deep divisions between the two auto manufacturers. Now they are dependent on each other for their future success, but some people at both firms are clearly reluctant to bury the hatchet. By Dietmar Hawranek more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- October 21, 2009
Volkswagen is celebrating the completion of its first full-fledged assembly plant in Kaluga, around 200 kilometers from Moscow. The company is courting Russian consumers as well as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who joined the festivities. The company is hoping to gain ground on other foreign competitors within the promising Russian market and rapidly increase sales. By Benjamin Bidder in Kaluga, Russia more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- September 07, 2009
Green-energy provider Lichtblick and German automaker Volkswagen are joining forces and promising to stir up the energy market with an unusual plan. Instead of relying on massive energy facilities, the average consumer may soon have a miniature power station in their basement. By Frank Dohmen more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 23, 2009
New Porsche boss Michael Macht could hardly be more different from his outspoken predecessor, Wendelin Wiedeking. But that's no coincidence: Volkswagen, which is set to acquire Porsche AG, wants a pliable CEO at the helm. By Yasmin El-Sharif more...
SPIEGEL ONLINE
- July 23, 2009
Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, who became one of Germany's highest-paid executives after turned the company around in the 1990s, has resigned. He fell from grace after a bungled attempted takeover of Volkswagen which brought Porsche to the brink of bankruptcy. more...
