9/9/2025 |Articles are machine translated
Summer is coming to an end, and we dare say that few managers, especially in the automotive industry, have treated themselves to the true luxury of disconnecting from their phones, emails, and messages during their vacations. These are too dynamic times. Just look back at the last few weeks, and it’s clear that boredom is definitely not an option.
In July, the United States and the European Union reached an agreement on tariffs. Ultimately, they will not amount to the initially threatening 30 percent, but “only” 15 percent. Even so, this represents a significant intervention in trade relations, which will shape the strategies of manufacturers and suppliers in Europe, including those in the Czech Republic. Nor can we speak of any calm in the area of supply – China has restricted licenses for the export of rare metals and magnets, without which electromobility cannot function. Prices for raw materials, materials, and especially energy remain high, and no one is under any illusion that they will ever return to their “pre-crisis” levels. German industry, with which we are closely linked, is going through a painful period and laying off workers. And pressure from Brussels is mounting as environmental standards set the bar ever higher. Overall, then, it is not a time for champagne, but neither is it a reason to give up. Because there are still good stories to be told, and there are many of them.
In addition to company stories, we also bring you articles with broader relevance. We analyze the EU budget proposal for 2028–2034 in detail. The two trillion euros at stake are not an abstract amount. It is a framework that will determine whether Europe can manage the green transition while remaining competitive in the (automotive) industry. We also looked at China, which is pushing ever more aggressively into the European market, and examined the strategies of Chinese car manufacturers and how successful they really are. We also take a look at France, where the state is supporting the transition to zero-emission mobility with a vigor that could inspire Czechia.
Finally, we offer an interview with Tomáš Fürst, a mathematician and data analyst from Palacký University. His text, with the provocative title “The CO2 obsession. Are we aiming at the wrong target?” is sure to spark discussion. Fürst is definitely not a climate activist. He explains where and how, in his opinion, “climate madness” originated and why he does not expect the fight against CO2 to bring the expected results. You don’t have to agree with him, but his perspective can serve as food for thought. Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to look at things from a distance, from a different angle, or through different eyes.
Inspirational reading and a peaceful start to autumn.
to read in Czech language
