Volkswagen Chief Calls For Franco-German Unity Against Chinese Competition

Volkswagen urges France and Germany to unite against Chinese car competition.

Volkswagen chief executive Oliver Blume has called on Paris and Berlin to join forces in addressing competitive pressures from Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. Speaking ahead of the Paris Motor Show, the executive emphasized that both nations have historically found solutions when working together. Mass-market automotive brands across the continent currently face severe market challenges.

• The backgroundEuropean mass-market carmakers face mounting pressure from lower-priced rivals entering the domestic market.
• The reactionIndustry executives emphasize bilateral cooperation between the continent's largest economies to safeguard local manufacturing.