Germany and France have agreed on a common position that envisages a further relaxation of the ban on internal combustion engines by 2035 and includes Great Britain in the definition of "made in Europe".
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The EU is planning to ban new combustion engines from 2035 to achieve climate goals. Germany and France have so far taken different positions.
Germany and France have agreed on a common position that envisages a further relaxation of the ban on combustion engines by 2035. The AFP news agency learned this from diplomatic circles on Thursday.
The EU's two largest economies also agreed to include Britain in defining vehicles that would be considered "made in Europe" under EU measures to boost domestic industries, according to a draft of the agreement.
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The EU Commission will examine the draft of the Franco-German agreement in the next few weeks and possibly incorporate it into official legislation.
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Volkswagen is preparing a further recall of several thousand ID family electric cars in Germany after internal quality tests found faulty high-voltage battery cells in certain models between 2023 and 2025. Those affected include the ID.3, ID.4, ID.7 and ID. Buzz and the Cupra Born. As an immediate measure, charging will be limited to a maximum of 80 percent, and affected customers will be informed in writing.
VW is preparing to recall several thousand vehicles from the ID. family in Germany after internal quality tests discovered faulty high-voltage battery cells due to production errors at suppliers. In rare cases, this could lead to increased thermal stress and, in extreme cases, fire. As an immediate measure, charging will be limited to 80 percent. Recalls are already underway in Great Britain and the USA, with over 22,000 ID.4s affected in the USA. The recall follows a million-dollar recall at the end of September due to a corrosion-prone screw on the steering.

Tesla is planning to expand its factory in Grünheide with a new production hall. The goal is to double production capacity to one million vehicles annually and to hire a total of 3,500 new employees.

In the draft budget for 2027, the federal government is planning a drastic cut in e-bus funding from around 403 to around 130 million euros. Transport associations warn of the failure of European climate targets and damage to German manufacturers.

The use of emergency call boxes on German motorways is declining sharply due to widespread mobile phone use. Autobahn GmbH is therefore examining the continued existence of the system in order to reduce costs while maintaining traffic safety. There are still around 17,000 columns nationwide, the maintenance of which cost 4.5 million euros in 2025.

BMW plans to transform itself into an “AI-orchestrated company” by 2028 through the use of artificial intelligence. Purchasing serves as a pioneer where autonomous agents like “Mr. Flexibility” will control processes and save billions in the future.