Dramatic times for German automakers

BYD Seagull: A small EV with a sodium-ion battery. Technically and above all in terms of price, VW cannot compete.

For the German manufacturers, the Auto Shanghai exhibition is the moment of truth. They are present at the world’s most important car show with too few new cars and many worries. For the first time in three years, the exhibition is once again taking place with international exhibitors.

The German car industry appeared more disillusioned than ever on the opening day of Auto Shanghai. Glittering world premieres like VW’s ID.7 – a kind of electric Passat – BMW’s new i7 M70 xDrive, Daimler’s seven-seater EQB or the new Porsche Cayenne, cannot hide the fact that the situation is more dire than ever. The three shortcomings of their presence in China are likely to be the main concern for them at what has become the world’s most important motor show:

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