“There are scenarios in which various raw materials can become scarce,” said Klenius in a previously published interview with the weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” on Wednesday. The industrialization of the mines and refinery capacities may also not keep pace with the increase in demand. “Should that happen, it would only delay e-mobility, but not prevent it.”
The car manufacturer, which changed its name to the Mercedes-Benz Group this week due to the spin-off of the truck subsidiary Daimler Truck from Daimler, is aiming to convert its range to electric cars by 2030. However, the restriction applies insofar as demand allows. Because while the transition is quick in highly industrialized countries thanks to the rapid development of the necessary charging infrastructure, it could take longer in poorer regions of the world. So far, however, Kllenius has seen no hesitation in the markets for the premium brand with the star. “All markets want electric cars from us, and our customers in distant countries will also be the first to want them.” There will not be two worlds in the long run.
Klenius confirmed the Stuttgart group’s clear decision to opt for electromobility and to phase out combustion engines. “We have finally positioned ourselves as a group. We are not focusing on increasing the efficiency of combustion engines, but on the electric motor.” The future is digitized and decarbonized. To turn demand around, fossil fuels would have to become more expensive. According to Kllenius, the “human task” of climate protection is also causing the capital markets to rethink. “Investors would rather put their money in companies with clear plans for decarbonization than in those that don’t really know what they want,” said the CEO.
In XETRA trading, Mercedes shares temporarily lose 0.40 percent to 70.04 euros.
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