Ferdinand Dudenhöffer thinks the EU ban on cars with internal combustion engines from 2035 is a good idea. In an interview, the car pope also gives a verdict on the future prospects of German car manufacturers.

Dudenhöffer: Praise for the ban on combustion engines

From the year 2035, no more new cars with classic combustion engines should be registered. By this date at the latest, car manufacturers must finally say goodbye to existing concepts. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer considers this the right decision. It is even “right” that only electric cars will be allowed in the future. He pays the EU Parliament a “great compliment”.

Dudenhöffer sees advantages in the fact that car manufacturers now “finally have more planning security”. the Future prospects of Volkswagen, Mercedes and BMW he still evaluates differently. BMW is not the measure of all things “in the new car world”, in which Tesla in particular has the say in technology. BMW would be afraid of the future, according to Dudenhöffer (source: Stock exchanges newspaper).

Of the E-car plans by VW boss Herbert Diess he holds much more. Relying on pure e-mobility is the right way. However, electric cars themselves are not the biggest challenge; rather, VW has to take more care of the software. It was recently announced that VW would be late in releasing its universal e-car software. Dudenhöffer’s quick-charging systems and its own battery factories are particularly positive at VW.

Is it worth switching to an electric car now?

Autopope: Mercedes makes a mistake

The car pope sees Mercedes on a similar path to Volkswagen. Unlike VW, however, Mercedes would make a mistake because the manufacturer, according to him neglected the compact class. Instead, Mercedes would “go even further for luxury” while throwing out “everything that isn’t so chic and brilliant”.