News

Maserati Unveils “Luxury, Every Day” Campaign for GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale

Maserati is putting a fresh spin on the meaning of luxury with its new “Luxury, every day” communications campaign, placing the latest GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale at the center of a distinctly Italian interpretation of performance, elegance and everyday usability.

Rather than portraying luxury as something reserved for rare occasions, Maserati’s latest campaign argues that extraordinary experiences should be part of everyday life. The concept reflects the brand’s long-standing philosophy of “Italian Gran Turismo: Effortless Luxury Performance,” bringing together Italian design, craftsmanship, comfort and serious performance in cars designed to be driven rather than simply admired.

The campaign arrives as Maserati continues to evolve its modern lineup, with the GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale representing three different interpretations of the Trident brand’s luxury performance philosophy.

Maserati Turns Luxury Into an Everyday Experience

The central idea behind “Luxury, every day” is built around a simple paradox. The campaign’s film follows four characters surrounded by valuable objects: a prestigious watch, jewelry, a bottle of Tignanello wine and an elegant suit.

Each item is admired but left unused. The characters hesitate, apparently waiting for an occasion important enough to justify enjoying something special.

Maserati then reverses that idea.

The arrival of the new Grecale, GranTurismo and GranCabrio transforms the definition of luxury. Instead of being objects saved for special occasions, the three Maserati models become everyday expressions of luxury themselves.

The message is unmistakably Italian: there does not need to be a special occasion to enjoy something extraordinary.

The characters eventually wear the clothing and jewelry, open the wine and stop postponing the experiences they have been saving for later. Maserati’s cars become the catalyst for that change, representing luxury that is designed to be experienced every day.

It is a particularly appropriate message for the GranTurismo, a name historically associated with long-distance travel, effortless speed and the ability to combine sporting performance with comfort.

The New Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo Packs 590 CV

At the heart of Maserati’s performance story remains the Nettuno V6, a powertrain developed around technology derived from motorsport.

For the new GranTurismo Trofeo and GranCabrio Trofeo, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 Nettuno produces 590 CV and 650 Nm of torque. That combination gives the Italian grand tourer the performance expected from a Maserati bearing the Trofeo badge while maintaining the comfort and long-distance capability central to the GranTurismo concept.

The GranTurismo Trofeo can exceed 320 km/h, putting it firmly among the fastest luxury grand tourers on the market.

What makes the Nettuno particularly significant is its pre-chamber combustion technology, derived from Formula 1 development. The system is designed to improve combustion efficiency and performance while contributing to the engine’s distinctive character.

Maserati has therefore managed to preserve an important part of the traditional grand-touring formula: a powerful internal-combustion engine, effortless high-speed capability and a soundtrack that remains an integral part of the driving experience.

GranCabrio Trofeo Brings the Same Formula With an Open Roof

The GranCabrio Trofeo takes the same performance philosophy and removes the roof.

As the convertible counterpart to the GranTurismo, the GranCabrio combines open-air driving with the performance of the 590-CV Nettuno V6. It is an approach that places the car somewhere between a high-performance sports car and a luxurious long-distance cruiser.

That dual personality is central to Maserati’s identity.

The GranCabrio is not designed simply to chase lap times. Instead, it aims to deliver speed and emotion without sacrificing the refinement required for long journeys.

That balance is exactly what Maserati means by effortless performance.

New Grecale Introduces a 390-CV Nettuno V6

The Grecale brings the Nettuno engine philosophy into a more practical and versatile SUV package.

The new Grecale introduces a 390-CV V6 Nettuno, giving the luxury SUV a significant performance advantage while retaining the everyday usability expected from the segment.

Maserati says the engine delivers a benchmark power-to-weight ratio in its category, while its technology and character connect the Grecale to the company’s motorsport heritage.

The engine’s responsive power delivery is intended to make the Grecale engaging in a wide range of driving conditions, reinforcing the idea behind the “Luxury, every day” campaign.

For customers who want Maserati performance without committing to an exclusively combustion-powered vehicle, the Grecale Folgore offers a different interpretation of the same philosophy.

The electric Grecale Folgore can deliver a range of up to 580 km, demonstrating Maserati’s intention to interpret performance through multiple powertrain technologies.

Shark-Nose Front End Gives Maserati’s New Models a Stronger Identity

The latest Maserati models also introduce a more assertive visual identity.

One of the most noticeable changes is the redesigned front end, characterized by what Maserati describes as a shark-nose effect. The new design gives the cars a more horizontal and aggressive appearance while maintaining the restrained elegance expected from an Italian luxury brand.

The design language represents another stage in Maserati Centro Stile’s ongoing evolution.

According to Maserati, the development of this sharper front-end treatment began with the MCXtrema track car. The more horizontal and assertive design was subsequently adapted for road-going models, appearing on the GT2 Stradale and later being refined through the MCPURA.

The philosophy has now reached the new GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale.

Rather than relying on excessive visual drama, Maserati is using proportions, surfacing and carefully controlled details to create a stronger identity.

That approach is consistent with the brand’s broader definition of Italian luxury: distinctive without being unnecessarily extravagant.

Maserati Updates the Interior With More Focus on the Driver

The exterior changes are accompanied by a series of updates inside the cabin.

One of the most distinctive details is the redesigned Maserati digital clock. The unit now features a genuine metal crown and an octagonal design, giving what could otherwise be a conventional digital display a more tactile and luxurious character.

The clock also reinforces the relationship between the driver and the vehicle, functioning as part of Maserati’s broader driver-car interface.

Another important update is the new PRND selector. Its three-dimensional controls are finished in metal and feature integrated backlighting, with Maserati aiming to make gear selection more intuitive and pleasant to operate.

The steering wheel has also been redesigned with inspiration from Maserati’s racing cars.

The result is an interior that places greater emphasis on the driver while retaining the sophisticated atmosphere expected of a modern Italian luxury vehicle.

Maserati’s Formula 1 Technology Meets Everyday Driving

The Nettuno V6 is one of the clearest examples of Maserati’s attempt to connect road cars with motorsport technology.

Pre-chamber combustion technology, developed from racing experience, gives the engine a technical identity that goes beyond simply producing high output.

But the broader significance of the latest Maserati lineup is that performance is no longer presented as something that exists separately from comfort and luxury.

The GranTurismo can travel at more than 320 km/h while remaining a long-distance grand tourer. The GranCabrio combines open-air luxury with supercar-like performance. The Grecale delivers V6 power in an SUV format, while the Grecale Folgore demonstrates that Maserati’s performance philosophy can also be applied to electric propulsion.

That versatility is at the heart of the new campaign.

Trieste Provides the Backdrop for Maserati’s New Chapter

The “Luxury, every day” film concludes in Piazza Unità d’Italia in Trieste, providing an appropriately dramatic setting for Maserati’s latest campaign.

The city combines historic architecture with views toward the Mediterranean and the distinctive landscape of the Karst Plateau. It also recently hosted Maserati’s international Media Drive, where more than 100 journalists from around the world had the opportunity to drive the new GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale.

The location reinforces Maserati’s connection with Italy while providing a natural environment in which the cars’ combination of elegance, performance and long-distance capability can be demonstrated.

Maserati’s Interpretation of Modern Italian Luxury

Cristiano Fiorio, Maserati Chief Marketing Officer and BOTTEGAFUORISERIE General Manager, says the campaign is intended to reaffirm the characteristics that have historically defined the Trident brand.

Italian design, elegance, craftsmanship and performance remain at the center of Maserati’s identity, but the company is presenting them through a more contemporary interpretation of luxury.

The philosophy is deliberately different from the idea that luxury must always be extravagant or inaccessible.

For Maserati, luxury can instead be subtle, authentic and integrated into everyday life.

That philosophy is particularly relevant to the GranTurismo. The car’s very name refers to a tradition of traveling quickly and comfortably across long distances, making it fundamentally different from a machine designed exclusively for occasional performance driving.

The GranCabrio extends that concept into open-air motoring, while the Grecale brings the same combination of performance and sophistication into the SUV segment.

A New Maserati Campaign Built Around Emotion

Produced by creative agency Migrante, the “Luxury, every day” campaign uses a combination of cinematic imagery, human reactions and automotive performance to communicate its central idea.

The soundtrack was created by composer Flavio Ibba, adding another layer to a film that gradually increases in rhythm and intensity as the Maserati vehicles take over the narrative.

The cars are not presented simply as luxury products. Instead, they are positioned as objects that encourage people to enjoy the present rather than constantly waiting for the perfect moment.

That idea ultimately connects the campaign with Maserati’s heritage.

For more than a century, the Trident brand has attempted to combine Italian craftsmanship with performance, creating cars that are capable of transforming an ordinary journey into something memorable.

The latest GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale continue that philosophy with modern technology, sharper styling and a broader range of performance options.

The result is Maserati’s latest definition of “Luxury, every day”: luxury that does not need to wait for a special occasion.

And with a 590-CV Nettuno V6, a 390-CV Grecale, a 580-km-range Grecale Folgore and a new generation of more assertive Maserati design, there is little reason for the driving experience itself to be postponed.

Source: Stellantis

CONCEPT CARS

Acura NEXERA Vision Concept Points to a Bold New Era of Acura Design

Acura is looking to the future with the dramatic NEXERA Vision, a striking performance coupe concept that previews a new design language for the luxury automaker. Unveiled during Monterey Car Week at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, the Acura NEXERA Vision combines sculpted proportions, advanced aerodynamics, sustainable materials and futuristic lighting technology in what Acura describes as a major step toward its next design era.

Developed at Acura Design California in Los Angeles under the direction of Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura’s new Creative Director and Vice President of Auto Design, the NEXERA Vision is more than a styling exercise. Acura says the concept will influence the appearance of future production models, with the fourth-generation Acura RDX Hybrid expected to be the first model to adopt elements of this new design direction.

The concept arrives as Acura marks its 40th anniversary, making the NEXERA Vision an important statement about where the brand intends to go next.

Acura NEXERA Vision Introduces a New Design Language

The Acura NEXERA Vision was created around the idea of Acura’s original challenger spirit, a philosophy that has been central to the brand since its launch four decades ago.

Rather than relying on conventional sports-car styling, Acura’s designers focused on disciplined proportions, muscular surfacing and the integration of technology into the vehicle’s overall form.

“We are using the 40th anniversary of Acura as a springboard to our future, with the Acura NEXERA Vision serving as the design language for future Acura models,” said Yasutake Tsuchida, Acura Creative Director and Vice President of Auto Design.

The result is an aggressively proportioned coupe with a wide stance, a long dash-to-axle ratio and a sleek, one-motion cabin. Its bodywork is finished in Matte Titanium, giving the concept a sophisticated metallic appearance that emphasizes its sharply sculpted surfaces.

The overall design manages to balance traditional sports-car proportions with futuristic details, suggesting Acura wants its next generation of vehicles to look recognizable without simply repeating the styling themes of its current lineup.

Dramatic Butterfly Doors and Active Aerodynamics

One of the most theatrical elements of the NEXERA Vision is its pair of dual-hinge butterfly doors.

The doors dramatically expose the cockpit when opened, turning entry into part of the car’s performance-focused experience. Acura says the design is intended to communicate the brand’s performance DNA from the moment the driver approaches the vehicle.

The exterior also incorporates active aerodynamic technology.

An active rear spoiler automatically manages airflow over the rear decklid, helping improve aerodynamic efficiency while also contributing to high-speed stability and braking performance.

The front end features an aero-channel fascia constructed using forged carbon fiber. Similar lightweight material is used throughout the car, including the rear diffuser, rocker panels and inner door structures.

Rather than treating aerodynamic components as separate add-ons, Acura has integrated them into the vehicle’s sculpted bodywork.

22-Inch Centerlock Wheels and Carbon-Ceramic Brakes

The NEXERA Vision also makes a strong statement about its performance intentions through its wheels and braking hardware.

The concept rides on massive 22-inch centerlock wheels, marking the first use of a centerlock wheel design on an Acura. The wheels feature a distinctive three-dimensional directional pattern, matte anodized finishes and forged carbon-fiber inserts.

Behind them are high-performance carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes.

The combination of large centerlock wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes and extensive use of forged carbon suggests the NEXERA Vision was designed to communicate serious performance capability rather than simply serve as a futuristic design study.

Although Acura has not announced production specifications for the concept, the hardware provides a clear indication of the performance-focused philosophy behind the new design language.

Acura’s New “Phantom Lighting” Signature

Perhaps the most interesting styling detail is hidden within the NEXERA Vision’s bodywork.

Acura calls the technology “phantom lighting,” with ultra-thin headlights and taillights designed to remain visually integrated into the body when switched off. When illuminated, the lighting elements emerge dramatically from the otherwise uninterrupted surfaces.

The new lighting signature is inspired by Acura’s “A” mark.

According to Tsuchida, the objective is to create a visual identity that makes future Acura vehicles immediately recognizable.

The NEXERA Vision therefore isn’t just introducing another interpretation of Acura’s grille or lighting design. Instead, the company appears to be developing a broader visual signature that can be carried across multiple vehicle segments.

Acura says the new lighting treatment will influence future production vehicles, beginning with the next-generation RDX Hybrid.

A Driver-Focused Acura Sports Car Interior

Inside, the NEXERA Vision takes a similarly unconventional approach.

Acura describes the cockpit as a balance between spaciousness and precision-focused intimacy, with the entire interior designed around the driver.

The seating position is particularly unusual. The front seats are integrated directly into the floor and remain fixed in position. This allows the driver’s seating position to be significantly lower than would be possible with conventional adjustable seats.

Instead of moving the seat, the pedals and steering wheel adjust to accommodate the driver.

The result is intended to create a more grounded, connected driving position while reducing potential distractions inside the cockpit.

The interior combines black and white surfaces with gloss-black finishes and contrasting pink accents. Forged carbon fiber is used alongside premium sustainable materials to give the cabin a distinctly modern performance character.

Sustainable Materials Meet Acura Performance

Sustainability is another important part of the NEXERA Vision’s interior design.

Acura has incorporated several alternative and recycled materials, including recycled aluminum, Alcantara incorporating certified post-consumer recycled polyester and CircuLeather, a genuine leather material designed to support a more circular material lifecycle.

The approach reflects a broader change taking place throughout the premium automotive industry, where sustainable materials are increasingly being used without necessarily sacrificing the appearance or tactile qualities expected from a luxury vehicle.

“Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in how premium quality and performance are defined,” Tsuchida said.

For Acura, the NEXERA Vision provides an opportunity to demonstrate that performance, luxury and sustainability do not necessarily have to exist as separate priorities.

Fourth-Generation Acura RDX Hybrid Will Lead the Way

While the NEXERA Vision itself remains a concept, its influence on future Acura models could be considerably more important than the car’s production prospects.

Acura has confirmed that the fourth-generation RDX Hybrid will be among the first production vehicles influenced by the new design direction.

That makes the NEXERA Vision particularly significant. Concept cars often preview individual design elements, but Acura is positioning this vehicle as the foundation of an entire design philosophy.

The production RDX is therefore expected to provide the first major opportunity to see how the concept’s ideas translate into a practical road-going vehicle.

Elements such as the new lighting signature, more disciplined proportions, sculpted body surfaces and integrated aerodynamic details could eventually become defining characteristics of future Acura models.

Acura NEXERA Vision Debuts at Monterey Car Week

The Acura NEXERA Vision made its global debut at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering, on August 14 during California’s Monterey Car Week.

The concept was subsequently scheduled to appear at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Concept Lawn on August 16, giving enthusiasts and collectors another opportunity to see Acura’s new design direction in person.

The choice of Monterey Car Week for the debut is significant. The event attracts some of the world’s most important performance cars, luxury vehicles and concept automobiles, providing Acura with an appropriate stage for a vehicle intended to signal a new chapter for the brand.

Acura’s Challenger Spirit Returns

The NEXERA Vision represents a considerable change in emphasis for Acura.

Its combination of aggressive proportions, butterfly doors, active aerodynamics, centerlock wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, forged carbon components and futuristic lighting gives the concept a much more dramatic presence than a conventional luxury crossover or sedan.

At the same time, Acura has deliberately avoided making the design purely futuristic. The emphasis on proportion, surface treatment and driver engagement gives the concept a connection to traditional performance-car design.

That balance may ultimately be the most important aspect of the NEXERA Vision.

Acura is attempting to create vehicles that feel technologically advanced without becoming visually dependent on technology. The result is a design philosophy centered on form, performance and recognizable brand identity.

Source: Acura

News

Mercedes-Benz Could Shut Down a German Factory—And Hungary May Be the Winner

Mercedes-Benz is reportedly putting increasing pressure on its German production operations as the automaker looks for ways to reduce costs and improve factory efficiency. According to a report from German business weekly WirtschaftsWoche, company management has allegedly warned employee representatives that a German factory could eventually become unnecessary if labor costs cannot be significantly reduced.

The reported warning comes amid increasingly difficult negotiations between Mercedes-Benz management and Germany’s powerful works councils. At the center of the dispute are labor costs, working hours, employee benefits and the competitiveness of Mercedes’ German manufacturing operations.

The stakes are particularly high because Mercedes-Benz has substantial production capacity elsewhere in Europe, including its factory in Kecskemét, Hungary, where production costs are considerably lower than in Germany.

Mercedes-Benz Reportedly Threatens New Eastern European Factory

According to WirtschaftsWoche, citing several sources within Mercedes-Benz, a member of the company’s management board allegedly told workers’ representatives that the company could build a new factory in Eastern Europe if German labor costs are not reduced substantially.

Under that scenario, one of Mercedes-Benz’s existing German production facilities could eventually become unnecessary.

There has been no official decision to close a German factory, and it remains unclear which location could potentially be affected. Neither Mercedes-Benz management nor its supervisory board has reportedly made a final decision.

Mercedes-Benz has also declined to comment on the specific allegations, saying that it generally does not comment on ongoing negotiations with employee representatives.

Nevertheless, the reported warning highlights a broader issue facing Germany’s automotive industry: whether manufacturing vehicles in the country remains economically competitive compared with lower-cost production locations elsewhere in Europe.

German Mercedes Workers Cost More Than Three Times as Much Per Hour

One of the most striking elements of the dispute is the difference in hourly labor costs between Mercedes-Benz’s Hungarian and German operations.

Mercedes-Benz’s Kecskemét plant reportedly has an hourly wage of around €15.60, compared with approximately €49.50 for workers in Germany, according to the figures cited in the source material.

That does not mean the total cost of manufacturing a vehicle is simply 3.2 times higher in Germany. Factory economics also depend on productivity, automation, energy prices, logistics, infrastructure, taxes, supply chains and the complexity of the vehicles being produced.

Mercedes-Benz itself has reportedly said that so-called factory costs in Hungary are around 70 percent lower than in Germany.

Those factory costs include more than employee wages. They can encompass labor, energy, infrastructure, logistics and maintenance, making the difference particularly important when an automaker is deciding where to allocate future production investments.

Kecskemét Could Become Increasingly Important to Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz already operates one of its most important European production facilities in Kecskemét, Hungary.

The plant has recently undergone a major expansion that reportedly doubled its potential production capacity to approximately 400,000 vehicles annually. More than 5,000 employees work at the facility.

The Kecskemét factory currently produces models including the Mercedes-Benz GLB and the electric C-Class. A smaller version of the G-Class is also expected to join the production lineup.

The expansion gives Mercedes-Benz an important alternative to its higher-cost German manufacturing sites. If the company decides to increase production in lower-cost European locations, Kecskemét would be an obvious candidate to play a larger role.

That does not necessarily mean Mercedes-Benz intends to abandon Germany. The company’s German factories remain strategically important for vehicle production, engineering, technology and the broader Mercedes-Benz industrial network.

However, the cost difference makes future investment decisions increasingly difficult.

Mercedes-Benz Wants Employees to Work Five More Hours

The reported conflict is not limited to wages.

One of management’s most controversial proposals reportedly involves increasing working hours by five hours per week without increasing monthly salaries.

In practical terms, employees would work longer for the same basic pay. From the company’s perspective, the proposal would reduce the effective labor cost per hour while increasing available production capacity.

For employees and works councils, however, the proposal represents a significant change to working conditions.

The discussions reportedly also include a review of additional compensation and benefits.

Christmas bonuses, severance-related payments and other special benefits could potentially be reduced or changed. One special payment has already reportedly been postponed, while employee profit-sharing payments could also be reduced or temporarily suspended.

Works councils have rejected the proposals, with sources reportedly describing the company’s approach as excessive pressure and even “blackmail.”

Mercedes-Benz Says German Factories Have Too Much Capacity

The cost dispute comes as Mercedes-Benz evaluates the future capacity of its German manufacturing network.

In June, company management reportedly sent a letter to employees warning that the production capacity of German factories was “significantly above demand.”

Management also reportedly pointed to high sickness absence rates and fewer annual working days compared with some international locations.

According to the company’s assessment, Mercedes-Benz employs more people per vehicle produced in Germany than other manufacturers.

The conclusion is straightforward from a business perspective: German plants need to become more productive and less expensive if they are to remain competitive for future investments.

Management has therefore reportedly argued that labor costs need to be reduced throughout the organization, including development, sales, administration and manufacturing.

The most direct message is that employees should work more for the same salary.

Why Germany Is Becoming More Difficult for Automakers

The Mercedes-Benz dispute is part of a much larger problem affecting Germany’s automotive industry.

For decades, Germany’s car industry benefited from a combination of highly skilled workers, strong engineering capabilities, premium vehicle production and a sophisticated industrial supply chain.

But the economics of global vehicle manufacturing have changed dramatically.

Automakers are now dealing with higher energy costs, intense competition from Chinese manufacturers, weaker demand in some markets and enormous investment requirements for electric vehicles, batteries, software and new vehicle platforms.

At the same time, manufacturers are under pressure to keep prices competitive.

That creates a difficult equation for German automakers. Producing vehicles in Germany offers major advantages, including access to engineering expertise, established suppliers and a highly skilled workforce. But those advantages come with significantly higher labor and operating costs.

Lower-cost production locations in Central and Eastern Europe can therefore become increasingly attractive when manufacturers plan new capacity.

Volkswagen Has Already Shown How Serious the Problem Is

Mercedes-Benz’s reported internal pressure stands in contrast to the situation at Volkswagen, where factory closures, job reductions and extensive cost-cutting measures have already become a major part of the company’s restructuring discussions.

Mercedes-Benz has generally been viewed as being in a stronger financial and operational position than Volkswagen.

That makes the reported developments particularly significant.

If even a premium manufacturer such as Mercedes-Benz is considering whether its German factories are cost-competitive enough for future investment, the pressure on Germany’s traditional automotive manufacturing model is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

The question is no longer simply how many cars German factories can build.

It is how cheaply and flexibly they can build them compared with plants elsewhere in Europe and around the world.

Will Mercedes-Benz Move More Production to Hungary?

At this stage, there is no confirmed decision to close a Mercedes-Benz factory in Germany or build another plant in Eastern Europe.

However, the company’s existing investment in Hungary demonstrates that Mercedes-Benz already has a substantial lower-cost manufacturing alternative within its European production network.

The Kecskemét plant’s expanded capacity could give the automaker considerable flexibility when deciding where future models should be manufactured.

If German labor costs remain significantly higher and domestic factories continue to operate below their potential capacity, the economic argument for directing additional production toward Hungary or other lower-cost locations could become stronger.

For Mercedes-Benz employees in Germany, that creates an uncomfortable situation.

The future of their jobs may increasingly depend not only on the success of individual vehicle models, but also on whether German factories can demonstrate that their higher costs are justified by greater productivity, quality, flexibility and strategic value.

The Future of German Car Manufacturing Is at Stake

The Mercedes-Benz dispute illustrates a fundamental challenge facing the German automotive industry.

High wages, strong employee protections and extensive worker participation have historically been central components of Germany’s industrial model. They helped create a highly skilled manufacturing workforce and supported the country’s position as one of the world’s most important automotive production centers.

But global competition is forcing manufacturers to reconsider the economics of that model.

Chinese automakers are expanding rapidly, electric vehicles require enormous investments and European manufacturers are searching for ways to lower costs without sacrificing quality.

Mercedes-Benz now appears to be facing the same fundamental question as many of its German competitors:

How much more can it afford to pay to build a vehicle in Germany?

If the answer becomes “too much,” future investment could increasingly move toward lower-cost European production sites.

For now, no German Mercedes-Benz factory has been officially selected for closure. But the reported threat is a clear warning that Germany’s position at the heart of European car manufacturing can no longer be taken for granted.

The next round of negotiations between Mercedes-Benz management and its works councils could therefore have implications far beyond working hours and employee benefits. It could help determine where the next generation of Mercedes-Benz vehicles is built—and whether Germany remains at the center of the company’s manufacturing strategy.

Source: WirtschaftsWoche

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