After the purchase bonus for electric cars in Germany ended at the end of 2023, manufacturers initially significantly increased discounts for electric cars in order to compensate for the loss of the bonus. But there is now a change in thinking, says Dudenhöffer. In view of the overall low demand, the company is trying to stimulate business with the combustion engines that are still prevalent and thus utilize their own plants to capacity.
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“The weak car market is taking a turn,” is Dudenhöffer’s conclusion. “Electric cars are also being promoted less among car manufacturers.” Because of the higher profit margins achieved with combustion engines, it is easier for manufacturers to grant discounts here. With electric cars, however, after the state new car bonus was abolished, only small profits or even losses could be made. In the current downturn, manufacturers are increasingly relying on combustion engines, which continue to “earn good money”.