Car industry • Table.Briefings

March 8th, 2026

Nexperia: Chip shipments could face fresh bottlenecks

After Chinese bank accounts at chipmaker Nexperia were frozen, Beijing is warning of “new conflicts.” The commerce ministry is placing the blame on the Dutch headquarters.

By Ning Wang

Tauben auf einer Photovoltaikanlage im Gewerbegebiet, Solpark, Industriegebiet, Solarenergie, Erneuerbare Energien, Energiewende, Energie, Taube, Vogeldreck, Vogelkot, Sonnenenergie, Schwäbisch Hall, Hohenlohe, Deutschland

News | Decarbonization

March 6th, 2026

IAA: Where the greatest potential for decarbonization lies

According to European Union projections, the Industrial Accelerator Act is expected to cut global CO₂ emissions by 30.6 million tons a year by shifting production to lower-carbon manufacturing in Europe. The greatest savings potential is seen in battery production.

By Manuel Berkel

Feature | Trade

March 5th, 2026

IAA: Made “with” Europe – Yes, but...

After months of wrangling, the Commission has presented its “Lex China” aimed at defending European industry. The Industrial Accelerator Act involves trading partners, but leaves room for new negotiations.

By Manuel Berkel and Markus Grabitz

Feature | Car industry

February 27th, 2026

Volkswagen: Why the carmaker is threatening to shut down its plant in South Africa

South Africa’s market for new cars is growing. However, this provides little cause for optimism among local manufacturers, as growth is driven primarily by rising imports. Volkswagen is now increasing pressure on the government to act and protect its industrial base.

By David Renke

News | Car industry

February 24th, 2026

"True implosion": Car exports to China slumped by a third in 2025

German exports to China are shrinking, while imports continue to rise. The IW Cologne speaks of an implosion of car exports to China.

By Redaktion Table

Xi Jinping receives European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the latest EU-China summit in Beijing.

Talk of the Town | Industry

February 23rd, 2026

Trade: How to get a grip on China’s overcapacity

As Chinese trade flows place mounting pressure on Europe’s industrial base, calls for more robust countermeasures are growing louder. One option would be to expand the use of import quotas, as is already the case in the steel sector.

By Antonia Zimmermann and János Allenbach-Ammann

Talk of the Town | Industry

February 22nd, 2026

Trade: How the EU wants to counter China’s export push

As Chinese trade flows put pressure on Europe’s industrial base, calls for more effective countermeasures are growing louder. One option under discussion is the broader use of import quotas, as already applied in the steel sector.

By Antonia Zimmermann and János Allenbach-Ammann

News | Economy

February 19th, 2026

Ahead of Merz trip: Industry associations call for fair competition

Ahead of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s trip to China, the industry associations VDMA and VDA are appealing for fair competitive conditions. The mechanical and plant engineering sector is urging China to cut subsidies and “finally remove zombie companies from the market.”

By Leonardo Pape

News | Car industry

February 18th, 2026

Instead of car displays: Industry standard mandates physical controls

A new industry standard requires physical control elements for a range of vehicle functions. The regulation by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is set to apply to newly manufactured vehicles from July 1, 2027.

By Leonardo Pape

Ein E-Auto wird an einer Wallbox aufgeladen, Wuppertal, Deutschland

News | Industrial Decarbonization Accelerator Act

February 18th, 2026

Industrial Accelerator: Electric cars need to be this European

In the Industrial Accelerator Act, the EU Commission sets out detailed requirements for the origin of electric car components. In future, state-subsidized electric cars must be assembled in the EU and must contain a significant proportion of European parts.

By Manuel Berkel