German ‘car capital’ in dire straits as automotive sector crisis intensifies
The city of Stuttgart in southwestern Germany might be facing insolvency.
Industrial policy
Latest reporting and analysis on industrial policy.
Ford drops electrical vehicle strategy on lack of demand, writes off €16.6 billion
US carmaker Ford has announced far-reaching changes to its electrical vehicle (EV) strategy.
German economy will continue to struggle with minimal growth, say leading institutes
Germany’s economy is expected to expand only modestly over the next three years, as structural obstacles, global trade pressures, and cautious private investment…
French court liquidates appliance giant Brandt, 700 jobs to go
The French court pulled the plug on Brandt, the century-old appliance maker once seen as a pillar of national industry.
Switzerland breaks tradition on arms exports, tests neutrality in Ukraine war
Switzerland has taken a historic step away from its traditionally restrictive stance on arms exports.
Germany as ‘business location in free fall,’ industry association warns
The Federation of German Industries (BDI), one of Germany’s major business associations, has warned the government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz that the economy…
Energy-hungry European industries ‘dying’, top bank chief warns
Energy-hungry industries Europe are effectively "dying" as rising energy prices, the flood of cheap goods from China and the side effects of climate policies make…
EU ‘can’t become a Chinese assembly line’
The European Union must close its doors to countries, especially China, that take advantage of the bloc's lack of domestic industrial protection, says a senior EU…
US pharma tariffs push EU chemical firms towards defence investment
Following the US decision to impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals, more European Union chemical and industrial firms are turning their focus towards the defence sector.
Two in five German industrial companies plan job cuts in 2026
Sentiment in Germany’s industrial sector is at rock bottom with more than 40 per cent of companies planning to reduce their workforce in the coming year.
Why the West’s war on industry has become its greatest weakness
The post-war order of free trade is dying before our eyes—and perhaps that's the best thing that could happen to the West.
No markets: EU steel industry with 300,000 workers stands at the brink
Robert Conquest once observed that everyone is conservative about what they know best.
German industrial output again drops steeply, “another severe blow to the economy”
August saw the sharpest decline in German industrial production since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022.
EU risks ‘reigniting US trade tensions’ to save a steel industry ‘on verge of collapse’
The European Union is doubling tariffs on steel imports that exceed its new proposed lower quota.
Work until 73 to save pension system, German experts warn
According to the German Council of Economic Experts, the retirement age should be raised to 73 to keep the country's social security system from collapsing.
Stellantis cut 10,000 jobs in Italy, amid broader factory shutdowns
Automaker Stellantis has cut 10,000 jobs in Italy over the last four years, continuing a wave of workforce reductions in industries across the European economy.
‘New EU tariffs on Asian steel will not fix problems at home,’ experts say
The European Union has announced a series of tariffs on steel coming from Asian countries, after the industry has been asking for support for months.
Industrial giant Bosch shocks Germany with plans to cut 13,000 jobs
The Bosch group, one of Germany’s leading industrial players, has announced a far-reaching job cut programme.
German political heavyweight warns of ‘loss of entire industries’ due to climate targets
A senior German politician has sounded the alarm about what he said would be the catastrophic effects of current climate policy on Germany’s industrial backbone.
Stellantis shuts down production in European plants due to weak demand
European car giant Stellantis will pause production in its European factories as it continues to struggle with poor sales.
Europe no longer export champion without cars, says Renault chief
The EU would lose its positive trade balance if stripped of car exports, French automaker Renault's vice-president Jean-André Barbosa warned during a conference…
Ford to slash 1,000 jobs in Cologne due to weak electric car demand
Ford Motor Company has announced plans to cut 1,000 jobs at its Cologne plant in Germany, with the reductions set to begin in early 2026.
Belgium last EU country to end lifetime entitlement to unemployment benefit
Belgium has put an end to unlimited unemployment benefit.
German unemployment tops 3 million for first time since 2015
For the first time in 10 years more than 3 million Germans are without a job.
Rise in German bankruptcies shatters hope for quick economic revival
The number of companies in Germany filing for bankruptcy has unexpectedly jumped to its highest value since at least 2018.
French fighter jet maker slams Belgium’s decision to buy American planes
Belgium’s decision to expand its fleet of US-made fighter jets has provoked strong reactions in France, amid ongoing EU–US trade tensions and concerns over Europe’s…
US battery producer Lyten to take over remnants of bankrupt European competitor Northvolt
Californian battery start-up Lyten has agreed to buy the remaining assets of Northvolt, a Swedish battery manufacturer.
Setback for German industry as new orders unexpectedly fall in June
Order intake for the German manufacturing sector has unexpectedly fallen, according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office.
EC gives €3M to workers after US tyre factories in Germany close
The European Commission will release more than €3 million to support 915 workers affected by US multinational Goodyear’s closure of one tyre plant and partial…
Intel cancels multi-billion euro chip factory in Germany
US technology giant Intel said will not move ahead with a controversial €30 billion chip factory in the German city of Magdeburg, as part of a new cost-cutting…