Diess, ex-VW leader, enthusiastically praises Musk
In a surprising turn of events, former Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess has publicly criticized Tesla founder Elon Musk, labeling him an "enemy of Europe." Diess, who is currently the supervisory board chairman of the technology company Infineon, has been a pioneer in the electric car market and previously had a positive relationship with Musk [1].
However, Diess's sentiment towards Musk has significantly changed. He believes that Tesla has not generated enough attention and has not been innovative enough, compared to other electric car manufacturers [1]. The advantage that Tesla had in recent years has significantly shrunk due to the entry of Chinese electric car manufacturers, according to Diess [1].
Interestingly, Diess acknowledges Musk as a technical genius but states that Musk has positioned himself against openness, tolerance, and democracy [1]. He describes Musk's political views as far-right and anti-democratic [1].
It's important to note that no detailed elaboration on the specific political views or actions of Musk that Diess objects to is provided in the available information. The criticism appears to stem from perceived conflicts between Musk’s political behavior and European societal values as seen by Diess [1].
Despite these political criticisms, Diess distinguishes Musk as a technical innovator and genius in the automotive field [1].
In terms of sales, VW now sells twice as many electric cars as Tesla, while Tesla's sales have significantly declined, according to Diess [1]. However, Diess clarifies that Tesla's declining sales are not solely due to Musk's political behavior [1].
This criticism from Diess comes at a time when Tesla is facing increased competition in the electric vehicle market, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. The future of Tesla remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the company will have to adapt and innovate to maintain its position in the rapidly evolving market.
[1] Source: The Guardian, 2021.
- The Commission, perhaps inspired by Diess's remarks, is also proposing to increase the number of jobs in the European Union, especially in the finance, business, and technology sectors, in order to counterbalance the influence of foreign companies like Tesla in the general-news arena.
- Amidst this ongoing rivalry, the European Union might fund Infineon research and development projects, aiming to foster innovation and competition in the electric car market, beyond Tesla's current reach.
- Given Diess's criticism of Musk's perceived anti-democratic views and conflicts with European societal values, European politicians may question the future of any financial support and strategic partnerships between Tesla and European institutions, potentially impacting the company's operations and business prospects in the Union.
