Motor vehicle industry in Lower Saxony: Stability despite challenges!

Motor vehicle industry in Lower Saxony: Stability despite challenges!

Winsen an der Aller, Deutschland - Today, on July 16, 2025, the delegate assembly of the Lower Saxony-Bremen car trade in Winsen confirmed to the all their leadership team for a further term. Karl-Heinz Bley remains at the top, who now acts as president and state guild master for the sixth time in a row. At a time that was characterized by high summer temperatures, the board was unanimously elected, including Vice President Arnulf Winkelmann and Hans-Jörg Koßmann as well as the board members Marcus Hünken, Thomas Schacht, Lothar Freese, Joachim Czychy and Markus Ahrens. There was special praise for Volker Borchers, who received the bronze ZDK honorary needle from Karl-Heinz Bley and Christian Metje, which honored his commitment to the industry. During this conference, central economic issues were discussed that significantly influence trade.

The vehicle industry faces huge challenges. As discussed at the conference, digitization, progress in the climate and mobility transition as well as structural change in the mobility sector creative and innovative solutions to counteract the impending shortage of labor. Because the classic business models in car dealerships and workshops change rapidly and require adaptability and foresight from the companies. This also goes hand in hand with a current agreement by the IG Metall and the Central Association of German Motor Vehicle Industry (ZDK), which have jointly developed a strategy for securing skilled workers. This agreement was recently signed and clearly stipulates that the social partners are demanding measures from politics to strengthen the training in car craft and to secure the need for skilled workers in the long term. The need for better vocational training and qualification will thus become the central topic for the future of the industry.

securing skilled workers as a key to the future

The shortage of skilled workers already clearly shows its effects on the 37,000 companies and 435,000 employees of the German motor vehicle trade. Ralf Kutzner from IG Metall and Arne Joswig from the ZDK in unison emphasize that employees in the car craft are decisive for the mobility turn. In order to master the upcoming challenges, innovative sales models, an infrastructure for electric vehicles and new mobility services must be the focus.

A study by the Fraunhofer IAO for the development in the vehicle industry predicts that the number of employees could decrease by around 18 % by 2030. A decline of around 28 % is even expected by 2040. Central departments with administrative organizational tasks are particularly affected, which are forecast a decrease of 36 % by 2040. These changes are primarily due to the progressive digitization, the electrification of the drive train and new sales models. The industry must quickly adjust to these developments and rethink to remain competitive. Michael Ziegler emphasizes that it is necessary to strengthen the customer focus and offer individual services.

investments and further training as an urgent needs

In order to master this change, however, high investments are necessary, especially in the further training of employees. The new requirements for skills, such as high-voltage and software knowledge, require targeted training programs. Employers are required to offer their employees relevant training and further training prospects in order to map the customer journey online and to complete the turnaround in vehicle trade. At the same time, trainees and students need appropriate accommodations to cover the increasing demand in the industry.

While these strategic considerations are continued, it remains to be seen how the industry will shape the coming years. One thing is clear: the vehicle industry in Lower Saxony-Bremen, under the proven direction of Karl-Heinz Bley and his team, will be challenged to find creative solutions in order to meet both the current challenges and the requirements of the future.

Kfz-betrieb href = "https://www.kfzkäwerbe.de/kfz-werben-und-metall-verbarben-zur-zur-kraeftensicherung"> Kfzwäwerbe , Fraunhofer iao