Panter: China is an opportunity for the future of VW's Mosel site

Investments according to clear European rules

Panter made it clear that China is not a developing country in many areas of electromobility. "On the contrary, they are drivers of innovation and in some cases pioneers. We can also benefit from this, be it in battery technology or software." At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that investments are made in accordance with clear European and German rules and standards. He rejects state influence from China. According to Panter, Hall 5 in Zwickau is predestined for the joint venture. It will be empty at the end of 2027, as production of the ID.3 will move to Wolfsburg.

Left and Greens critical of Chinese involvement

In a subsequent debate, Panter's ideas met with resistance, particularly from the Greens and the Left. Wolfram Günther (Greens) attested to China's "tough strategies" to dominate the market. China is one of the "most aggressive states in the world when it comes to espionage". Left-wing parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper warned against naivety. "Anyone who only sees Chinese investors as saviors is ignoring the potential for conflict." This is shown, for example, by the labor dispute at the Metalfloat company in Espenhain, which belongs to a Chinese group.

Zwickau plant pioneers e-mobility

The Zwickau plant, which employs around 8,000 people, only builds electric cars. Within the VW Group, the site is a pioneer in e-mobility. However, around 1,200 jobs have already been cut as part of the Group-wide cost-cutting measures. Instead of the previous three shifts, the plant now only works two shifts. A site guarantee applies until 2030. BSW member of parliament Ralf Böhme expressed the suspicion that the complete conversion to e-cars was carried out with the ulterior motive of being able to sacrifice this site rather than the site in Wolfsburg in extreme cases.

Panter: Delay in integration into Group not a catastrophe

Panter also addressed the delay in the integration of VW Sachsen GmbH into the AG. The GmbH with its three locations in Zwickau, Chemnitz and Dresden has been operating as an independent company to date and was originally due to be integrated into the Group by the end of this year. Although Panter considers the delay to be "annoying" and "not a good signal", he does not see it as a catastrophe because the integration under collective bargaining law took place ahead of schedule on January 1 of this year. "What is more important, the wallet or the badge on the entrance gate?" asked the SPD politician.

Saxony's entry into VW unrealistic

Panter believes that the Free State's entry into VW, as proposed by the Greens, is unrealistic. In order to be able to buy enough ordinary shares - as this is the only way to get a place on the supervisory board - a lot of money is needed: around 450 million euros for one percent, Panter calculated. This could "certainly be better invested in up-and-coming Saxon companies". Nevertheless, Saxony will exert its influence in Wolfsburg.

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