VW truck boss urges Germany to resolve political
deadlock
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 [December 01, 2017]
MUNICH (Reuters) - The head of
Volkswagen's <VOWG_p.DE> truck operations on Friday criticized Germany's
prolonged political deadlock as a risk to its commercial vehicle
industry and the country's international reputation.
Ten weeks after the Sept. 24 federal elections, Germany still lacks a
new government and Chancellor Angela Merkel is casting around for a
coalition partner.
A German government should be ready to tackle future challenges "in a
creative, bold and forceful way, instead of merely administering our
country for months in a caretaking way," VW Truck & Bus Chief Executive
Andreas Renschler told a truck industry conference.
"Germany can afford many things, but not an unstable government," said
Renschler, who sits on VW's top management board. "We have a problem in
Germany if we persist in that (instability). Our role in Europe but also
in the world forbids that."
Truck makers such as VW, Daimler <DAIGn.DE> and Volvo <VOLVb.ST> are
being forced to transform as smart logistics, autonomous driving and
electric vehicles become more important for fleet operators. They must
also contend with tightening emissions and safety regulations.
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Andreas Renschler, member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen
AG with responsibility for 'Commercial Vehicles' attends Volkswagen
AG annual news conference in Wolfsburg, Germany, April 28, 2016.
REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch
Digital tools to improve traffic management require "bold and forward-looking"
legal terms set by politicians and regulators, said Renschler, citing so-called
"platooning" technology which allows digitally connected heavy trucks to save
fuel by driving closely together.
"That's why it is all the more important that we will get a stable government in
Germany as fast as possible that sets the appropriate impulses for innovation
and investment," said Renschler, a former head of Daimler Trucks.
"Our appeal can only be to end the political deadlock as quickly as possible."
(Reporting by Andreas Cremer; editing by Jason Neely)
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