The following three articles were published:

• The average age of German new car buyers is 54, and they do not need most of the features offered by Chinese cars.
• Will bidirectional charging disrupt global energy synergy
• What do foreign automotive research experts think of BYD

You can read the article here!

Press reports (only available in German) on the 17th Science Forum Mobility on May 15, 2025 can be found in VISION mobility, on the YouTube channel of Studio 47, and in WDR Lokalzeit (starting at minute 2:19). On the Science Forum's LinkedIn page, you will also find an article from the perspective of the chair.

In Fidelity International's Capital Markets podcast with Carsten Roemheld, Prof. Heike Proff reported on the current crisis in the automotive industry in a two-part episode.

The first part, “Why Germany is lagging behind”, deals with the decline in demand for German car manufacturers in foreign markets and the growing pressure from international manufacturers, e.g., from China, especially in the field of electromobility. Among other things, the requirements of young Chinese buyers are discussed and the importance of European battery research is highlighted.

The second part, “What we can learn from Brazil”, deals with the effects of higher tariffs in America on foreign and domestic car manufacturers, but also on consumers. In addition to the consequences of protectionism, the influence of Chinese manufacturers and the withdrawal of established manufacturers from the automotive market in Brazil, a country without its own automotive industry, will be discussed.

Further information and the transcript of the podcast can be found here.

Unfortunately, the videos and transcript are only available in German. Nevertheless, we hope you enjoy listening to them!