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☆ Italy's Eni wins in arbitration case against Uniper -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The logo of Italian energy company Eni is seen at a gas station in Rome, Italy September 30, 2018. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON/MILAN/FRANKFURT, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Eni has won a $600-million award after an arbitration court decided in the Italian firm's favour and against Germany's Uniper in a row over a liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply contract, three trading sources said. The 2017 annual report by the International Group of LNG Importers (GIIGNL) showed a 15-year contract under which Eni supplied Uniper with 0.65 million tonnes of LNG per annum between 2007 and 2022. Eni was not immediately available for comment. ($1 = 0.9168 euros)Reporting by Marwa Rashad, Francesca Landini and Christoph Steitz Editing by Miranda MurrayOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Alessandro Bianchi, Germany's, Uniper, Eni, Marwa Rashad, Francesca Landini, Christoph Steitz, Miranda Murray Organizations: Eni, REUTERS, Sunday, International Chamber of Commerce, E.ON, International Group, Thomson Locations: Rome, Italy, MILAN, FRANKFURT

These include plans by ArcelorMittal , the world's second-largest steelmaker, to spend 2.5 billion euros to decarbonise its German steel mills, efforts that depend on now-uncertain government support. "What we're seeing here is devastating for Germany as a business location globally. Besides the 6 billion euros of steel investments, other sectors potentially affected by the court ruling include 4 billion euros in the area of microelectronics and 20 billion euros for battery cell production, according to an economy ministry paper seen by Reuters. Those have previously been estimated at 68 billion euros. "Important industries in Germany, such as chemicals or steel production, need economical energy prices," Oliver Blume, CEO of Europe's top carmaker Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Robert Habeck, Christian Lindner, Reiner Blaschek, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stefan Rauber, Intel INTC.O, Taiwan's, Bernhard Osburg, Oliver Blume, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Andreas Rinke, Catherine Evans Organizations: Climate, Finance, ArcelorMittal, SHS Stahl, Reuters, IMF, Intel, TW, Infineon, Steel, BASF, Wacker Chemie, Volkswagen, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Berlin, Germany, Asia, United States, U.S, USA, Steel Europe

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. Scholz's three-way coalition is reeling from a court ruling last week that wiped 60 billion euros ($65 billion) from the budget at a stroke and forced it to freeze most new spending commitments, delaying talks on the 2024 budget. LOSS OF CONFIDENCEGermany's steel sector added its voice to the growing jitters, warning that the court ruling had put a question mark over more than 40 billion euros in planned investments. "I find it correct that the consequences of the constitutional court ruling ... are checked carefully," Scholz told a news conference. Scholz also described this as conceivable, participants at the meeting told Reuters, adding that the court ruling put the coalition into a difficult situation but it could be resolved.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Robert Grundke, Bernhard Osburg, Osburg, Berlin, Scholz, Achim Post, Andreas Rinke, Christoph Steitz, Holger Hansen, Rene Wagner, Matthias Williams, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Economic Cooperation, Development, Reuters, Scholz's Social Democrats, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, Paris, United States, decarbonisation

☆ German budget hole puts industry at risk, steel sector warns
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. Bernhard Osburg, president of the German steel association and CEO of Thyssenkrupp's (TKAG.DE) steel division, the country's top steelmaker, told reporters that it was vital for Germany to protect its future competitiveness. His comments highlight major uncertainty within Germany's industrial firms, which are already struggling with local economic conditions and are increasingly looking to alternative, more favourable, markets, such as the United States. So he called on Berlin to hold a summit soon with German industry leaders to provide answers on how these investments could be protected, warning of an "utmost pressure to act". Germany's steel sector, which apart from Thyssenkrupp also includes Salzgitter (SZGG.DE), directly employs around 80,000, while around 4 million jobs indirectly depend on it.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Bernhard Osburg, Osburg, Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz's, Christoph Steitz, Miranda Murray Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, Berlin, FRANKFURT, United States, decarbonisation, Thyssenkrupp

Steel coils are waiting for delivery at the storage and distribution facility of German steel maker ThyssenKrupp in Duisburg, Germany, November 16, 2023. As a result of the impairment, Thyssenkrupp, which has been trying to divest its steel division for several years, posted a 2-billion-euro net loss for the fourth quarter. Shares of the company, which proposed a stable dividend of 0.15 euros apiece, were indicated to open 1.8% lower in pre-market trade. Thyssenkrupp - which apart from steel builds submarines, car parts and operates a large materials trading business - said it was in constructive and open-ended talks with EPH about a potential steel joint venture. EPH, controlled by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky, would support Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe with its energy expertise in any joint venture, the company said.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Miguel Lopez, Daniel Kretinsky, Thyssenkrupp, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Sandra Maler, Miranda Murray, Sherry Jacob, Phillips Organizations: REUTERS, Wednesday, EPH, Thyssenkrupp Steel, Thomson Locations: Duisburg, Germany, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Czech, Europe

Miniatures of windmill and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Gamesa logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. One Frankfurt-based trader said the investor event, where Siemens Gamesa disclosed around 400 million euros in cost cuts by 2026, was bringing "no new insights". At 1610 GMT, shares in Siemens Energy, in which Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) owns a direct 25.1% stake, were still down 6.3%. Siemens Gamesa will likely cut onshore turbine capacity outside Europe and outsource the production of some components, the division's Chief Executive Jochen Eickholt said, outlining the group's restructuring roadmap. Reuters last month reported that Siemens Gamesa was considering shutting plants and sales offices as well as outsourcing some production.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Siemens Gamesa, Christian Bruch, Jochen Eickholt, Eickholt, Christoph Steitz, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Danilo Masoni, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray, David Evans Organizations: Siemens, REUTERS, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens AG, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Europe, FRANKFURT, DUESSELDORF, Frankfurt

Earlier this month, she said the U.S. offshore wind industry was "fundamentally broken" after BP wrote down $540 million on its wind power projects offshore New York, blaming inflation and red tape that meant projects ran over budget and over time. Globally, the renewables sector has been undermined by slow permitting, technological challenges, rising raw material costs and higher costs of capital. As BP seeks to guarantee it can meet its internal returns target of 6% to 8% on renewables projects, Dotzenrath said BP was working out how to reduce costs globally. You need one of the local energy suppliers to help you push ahead with the permitting processes and establish the onshore grid connection," she said. BP does not produce electrolysers, which split water to produce hydrogen, but Dotzenrath said did not rule out greater involvement.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Anja, Isabel Dotzenrath, Norway's Equinor, Denmark's, Dotzenrath, we'll, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Thyssenkrupp, Christoph Steitz, Ron Bousso, Barbara Lewis Organizations: BP, REUTERS, Reuters, Siemens Energy, BASF, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, LONDON, Japan, U.S, New York, U.S.A, Germany

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of German industrial conglomerate Siemens, Roland Busch attends the virtual annual shareholder meeting in Munich, Germany, February 10, 2022. Sven Hoppe/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Company expects sales to grow 4-8% in fiscal 2024Posts record industrial sales, profit in Q4Frankfurt-listed shares +3.6%FRANKFURT, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Siemens (SIEGn.DE) on Thursday gave a more cautious sales outlook for 2024, citing continuing destocking by Chinese customers, after the maker of products from trains to industrial software reported record industrial profit. That beat the 20.99 billion euros forecast in a company-gathered poll of analysts. Industrial profit too grew 7% to a record 3.4 billion euros, above the 3.34 billion euros forecast. The company has also been working through its massive order book, which stood at 111 billion euros at the end of September, up from 110 billion euros at the end of June.

Persons: Roland Busch, Sven Hoppe, Ralf Thomas, Christoph Steitz, Alexander Huebner, John Revill, Linda Pasquini, Christopher Cushing, Jan Harvey Organizations: Siemens, Companies, ABB, Frankfurt, Industrial Business, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, Frankfurt, FRANKFURT, Swiss, China

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. A producer of key equipment such as gas turbines, converter stations and wind turbines, Siemens Energy is viewed by the German government as vital to its energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Frankfurt-listed shares in Siemens Energy were up 3% at 0757 GMT. Siemens Gamesa, once considered the future growth driver for Siemens Energy, has become a millstone around the group's neck after deeper-than-expected wind turbine quality issues were disclosed in June. As part of the financial backing agreed with stakeholders, Siemens Energy said it would sell an 18% stake in Indian firm Siemens Ltd (SIEM.NS) to Siemens AG at a discount of 15%, confirming a previous Reuters story.

Persons: Dado, Christian Bruch, Spain's, Christoph Steitz, Linda Pasquini, Mark Potter Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Siemens, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens AG, Reuters, Siemens Ltd, Thomson Locations: Frankfurt, MUNICH

☆ German economy, auto sector face risks from exposure to China, fund manager says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A view shows the flags of China and Germany at a booth of a German automaker at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China, April 19, 2023. That poses a dilemma for the German government, which is actively trying to get companies to derisk from China, the world's second-largest economy. The fund manager said it was striking that German companies are also increasingly relocating research and development activities to China, while others did the opposite for security reasons. Union Investment holds stakes in virtually all German blue-chip companies, including German carmakers Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE), BMW (BMWG.DE) and Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) as well as BASF (BASFn.DE), which all have major ties and exposure to the Chinese economy. The exposure means that German carmakers are facing risks such as being squeezed out of the Chinese market as well as seeing increased Asian competition in Europe, the fund manager said.

Persons: Aly, Christoph Steitz, Paul Simao Organizations: Auto, REUTERS, Rights, Union Investment, Reuters, Investment, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, Benz, BASF, Thomson Locations: China, Germany, Auto Shanghai, Shanghai, Japan, South Korea, United States, derisk, German, Europe, Berlin, Beijing

☆ German government supports Siemens Energy with $8 bln guarantees
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Christian Kraemer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. Private banks were expected to provide Siemens Energy with guarantees worth 12 billion euros while Siemens Energy would seek another 3 billion from other sources, the statement said, adding it was conditional on the final sign-off of all parties. "We are pleased with the German government's clear support for Siemens Energy and the commitment to the rapid implementation of projects to make the energy transition a success," Siemens Energy said in a statement. Shares in Siemens AG rose 2.7% at 1517 GMT on the deal while Siemens Energy shares were up 0.3%. Siemens AG, which spun off Siemens Energy in 2020, is also expected to provide support by buying most of the 24% stake Siemens Energy owns in Siemens Ltd (SIEM.NS), an Indian joint venture, sources have told Reuters.

Persons: Dado, Marco Buschmann, Buschmann, Christian Kraemer, Alexander Hübner, Christoph Steitz, Linda Pasquini, Madeline Chambers, Matthias Williams, Kirsti Knolle, David Evans Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Siemens AG, Reuters, Siemens Ltd, Siemens, RTL, ntv, Thomson Locations: Indian

☆ Germany buys stake in EnBW's high voltage grid for $1.1 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Solar panels of Germany's largest solar park Weesow-Willmersdorf by energy supplier EnBW AG are seen during sunset in Werneuchen, Germany September 21, 2023. EnBW earlier this year already sold a 24.95% stake in TransnetBW to a savings banks-led consortium for around 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion). The group confirmed that KfW had bought its stake at the same conditions, without providing details. "We are delighted to welcome two long-term oriented and reliable co-investors on board at TransnetBW," EnBW finance chief Thomas Kusterer said in a statement. "This provides EnBW with additional funding for growth investments to accelerate the implementation of the energy transition in Germany."

Persons: Lisi Niesner, firming, KfW, Thomas Kusterer, Christoph Steitz, Jan Harvey Organizations: EnBW, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Werneuchen, Germany, TransnetBW, Berlin

☆ Siemens Energy sees electrolyser sales topping 1 billion euros mid-term
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Miniatures of windmill, solar panel and electric pole are seen in front of Siemens Energy logo in this illustration taken January 17, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBERLIN, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Siemens Energy (ENR1n.DE) expects more than 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in revenues over the medium-term from its hydrogen electrolyser manufacturing business, one of the company's board members said on Wednesday. Anne-Laure de Chammard spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the opening of Siemens Energy's first electrolyser factory in Berlin, a joint venture with France's Air Liquide (AIRP.PA). Asked about the progress of those talks, de Chammard said: "We will provide more information in a later moment." For the electrolyser project that aims to produce electrolyser capacity of up to 3 gigawatts per year, Siemens Energy has received 15 million euros ($16 million) in government funding for research and development, de Chammard said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Anne, Laure de Chammard, De Chammard, de Chammard, Riham Alkousaa, Christina Amann, Christoph Steitz, Mark Potter Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Rights, Siemens, France's, Thomson Locations: Berlin

☆ Uniper swings to $10 billion net profit as gas prices fall
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A person stands at escalators near the Uniper logo at the utility's firm headquarters in Duesseldorf, Germany, July 8, 2022. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Uniper SE FollowGazprom PAO FollowFRANKFURT, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Germany's Uniper (UN01.DE), which was bailed out during Europe's energy crisis, swung to a nine-month net profit of 9.77 billion euros ($10.35 billion), boosted by falling gas prices that positively impacted future provisions. The result compares with a net loss of 40.3 billion euros in the same period last year, when ballooning costs to replace Russian gas threw the company into its biggest crisis ever, triggering a government rescue. The results come a week after Uniper detailed its outlook for 2023, expecting adjusted operating profit (EBIT) of 6 billion to 7 billion euros and full-year adjusted net profit of 4 billion to 5 billion euros. At the end of September, liabilities tied to derivatives, which grow or shrink in line with gas price developments, stood at 26 billion euros, down from 216 billion a year earlier.

Persons: Wolfgang Rattay, Jutta Doenges, Christoph Steitz, Rachel More, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: REUTERS, Gazprom PAO, Gazprom, Thomson Locations: Duesseldorf, Germany, FRANKFURT, Frankfurt, Ukraine

☆ Siemens Energy shares recover further as guarantee talks continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of energy technology company Siemens Energy is displayed during the LNG 2023 energy trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 12, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT/BERLIN, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Shares in Siemens Energy continued their recovery on Monday, topping Germany's blue-chip index as concerns over the group's ability to post guarantees for big industrial projects eased. Siemens (SIEGn.DE), which owns a 25.1% stake in Siemens Energy, was up 1.6%. News of the talks pushed Siemens Energy's shares to a record low last week on concerns the issue around guarantees could have an impact on the group's balance sheet. Around half of that, or about 15 billion euros, needs to be covered by the government, banks and Siemens, the sources said.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Joe Kaeser, Kaeser, Christoph Steitz, Markus Wacket, Rachel More, Mark Potter Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Siemens, German Economy Ministry, Reuters, Welt, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, FRANKFURT, BERLIN, downpayments

☆ Explainer: Why is Siemens Energy seeking $16 billion state guarantees?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The logo of energy technology company Siemens Energy is displayed during the LNG 2023 energy trade show in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, July 12, 2023. To make sure it can get the guarantees to fulfil its order backlog, Siemens Energy has turned to the government. Siemens owns a 25.1% stake in Siemens Energy and has not ruled out helping. Siemens still provides around 7 billion euros of performance guarantees to projects Siemens Energy is working on, significantly down from the 40 billion euros at the time of the spin-off around three years ago. Apart from seeking guarantees from the government, banks and Siemens, Siemens Energy said it is "evaluating various measures to strengthen the balance sheet", without elaborating further.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Banks, Roland Busch, hade, Andreas Rinke, Christoph Steitz, Victoria Farr, Andres Gonzalez, Pablo Mayo, Alexander Huebner, Tom Kaeckenhoff, Josephine Mason, Susan Fenton Organizations: Siemens Energy, REUTERS, Siemens, International Chamber of Commerce, German Economy Ministry, SIEMENS, Triton, Pablo Mayo Cerqueiro, Thomson Locations: Vancouver , British Columbia, Canada, downpayments, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Munich

☆ Industry could save $437 bln a year via energy efficiency efforts
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FRANKFURT, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Global industry could save around $437 billion a year from 2030 via energy efficiency savings and could also achieve big reductions in carbon emissions, a study showed. Companies could undertake regular energy audits, review the ideal size of industrial assets, connect sites and machines to reap energy synergies and use more efficient engines, the report said. "Since renewables can only provide a part of the answer, the critical role energy efficiency plays in accelerating the energy transition toward reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 is undeniable." Last week, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said global energy consumption will likely increase through 2050 and outpace advances in energy efficiency, boosted by population growth and higher living standards, among other factors. Non-fossil fuel-based resources, including renewables, will produce more energy through 2050, but that growth is not likely to be enough to reduce global energy-related CO2 emissions, it said.

Persons: Tarak Mehta, Christoph Steitz, Jane Merriman Organizations: Energy Efficiency Movement, ABB, Germany's DHL, Sweden's Alfa Laval, Microsoft, Reuters, Companies, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT

☆ Volkswagen cuts profit outlook on raw material hedges hit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Volkswagen logo is pictured at the 2022 New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Volkswagen AG FollowFRANKFURT, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) on Friday cut its profit outlook for the current year due to negative effects from raw materials hedges at the end of the third quarter, Europe's largest carmaker said. The company said it no longer expected an operating return on sales between 7.5%-8.5%, and that its operating result before special items was now seen at the prior year level of 22.5 billion euros ($23.8 billion). ($1 = 0.9446 euros)Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Jan HarveyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Christoph Steitz, Jan Harvey Organizations: New York, REUTERS, FRANKFURT, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S

Volkswagen logo is pictured at the 2022 New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Now expects operating profit margin on sales of 7.0%-7.3%Keeps outlook for sales, deliveriesTo publish final Q3 results on Oct. 26FRANKFURT, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) cut its profit margin outlook for the current year on Friday, blaming negative effects from raw materials hedges at the end of the third quarter. Volkswagen kept its outlook for deliveries and sales, still expecting to hand between 9 million and 9.5 million vehicles to clients this year, while sales are forecast to grow by 10% to 15%. The carmaker, which is due to release full quarterly figures on Oct. 26, said third-quarter sales grew 12% to 78.8 billion euros, while operating profit was up around 14% at 4.9 billion. Volkswagen's controlling shareholder, Porsche SE (PSHG_p.DE), specified its 2023 outlook following Volkswagen's warning and now expects group profit after tax in the lower half of the 4.5 billion euro to 6.5 billion euro forecast range.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Bernstein, Christoph Steitz, Ilona Wissenbach, Jan Harvey, Rod Nickel, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: New York, REUTERS, Volkswagen, Porsche, Thomson Locations: Manhattan , New York City, U.S, FRANKFURT, Frankfurt, Slovenia

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition unveiled in July a strategy toward de-risking Germany's economic relationship with China, calling Beijing a "partner, competitor and systemic rival". German investment in Asia excluding China is rising as a share of overall investment. "No company is going to say that it will leave China," said Sandra Ebner, senior economist at Union Investment, Germany's second-largest fund manager. "But what companies are increasingly doing is to produce in China for China and to position themselves around China for the remaining Asian or global market." In July, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck travelled to India with a delegation of executives to discuss opportunities for German companies.

Persons: Thomas Nuernberger, Nuernberger, Olaf Scholz's, Volker Treier, Munk, Ferdinand Munk, Scholz, Angela Merkel's, Martin Brudermueller, Max Zenglein, Juergen Matthes, Markus Horn, Matthias Bianchi, Joe Biden, Wolfgang Niedermark, Jan Roennfeld, Roennfeld, Sandra Ebner, BDI's Niedermark, Robert Habeck, Christoph Steitz, Sarah Marsh, Maria Martinez, Aditya Kalra, Sarita Chaganti Singh, Xinghui, Orathai, Brenda Goh Organizations: Reuters, Commerce and Industry, Volkswagen, Mercedes, Benz, BASF, IW Institute, Big, Mercator Institute for China Studies, Economic Institute, Horn, German Association of, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, Union Investment, Thomson Locations: FRANKFURT, BERLIN, Berlin, Beijing, China, Taiwan, India, Asia, Germany, Europe, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, South China, European, Thailand, United States, Mexico, Indonesian, Eastern Germany, Malaysia, Frankfurt, New Delhi, Xinghui Kok, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai

Volkswagen has said that cost-cutting plans would include focusing on fewer high-volume models as well as streamlining production of VW passenger cars, SEAT/CUPRA and Skoda. The Volkswagen brand has the company's highest sales volume by far, but margins traditionally lag behind luxury Audi and Porsche vehicles. A Volkswagen brand spokesperson confirmed that talks began with workers in early October and that it would not comment further on the timeline or content of discussions. Labour representatives, including the head of Volkswagen works council Daniela Cavallo, make up half of the company's supervisory board per German corporate governance law for large firms. A works council spokesperson confirmed a first meeting had taken place but declined to comment further on the timeline.

Persons: Matthias Rietschel, carmaker, Arno Antlitz, Brand, Thomas Schaefer, Daniela Cavallo, Cavallo, Victoria Waldersee, Christoph Steitz, Rod Nickel Organizations: Volkswagen Group, REUTERS, BERLIN, Volkswagen, VW, SEAT, Skoda, Porsche, Labour, Thomson Locations: Zwickau, Germany

☆ Volkswagen's Europe and US sales offset China weakness in Q3
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Volkswagen group delivered 2.34 million vehicles in total in July-September. In China, deliveries fell 5.8% to 837,200, the company said, joining rival German carmakers in reporting a quarterly decline there. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE) earlier this week said their third-quarter sales in China fell, with the former hit by supply chain issues and model changes. Still, car sales in China continued a recovery in September, rising for the second consecutive month, benefiting from stronger demand and new models ahead of key holidays. Volkswagen recorded a 40.5% increase in deliveries of all-electric vehicles to 209,900 in the third quarter, accounting for 9% of group deliveries.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, carmaker, Ola Kaellenius, Hildegard Wortmann, Christoph Steitz, Tristan Chabba, Rachel More, Mark Potter Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, German, Mercedes, Benz, BMW, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, China, FRANKFURT, Europe, North America, Zwickau

☆ Volkswagen's Europe, U.S. vehicle deliveries offset China weakness in Q3
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Volkswagen employees stand next to Volkswagen electric cars during a ceremony at German carmaker Volkswagen's first battery cell production plant 'SalzGiga' in Salzgitter, Germany, July 7, 2022. Overall, Volkswagen recorded group deliveries of 2.34 million vehicles in the July-September period. In China, deliveries fell 5.8% to 837,200 in the period, Volkswagen said, joining rival German carmakers in unveiling a quarterly drop. Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE) and BMW (BMWG.DE) earlier this week saw their third-quarter sales in China fall, with the former being hit by supply chain issues and model changes. Car sales in China still continued their recovery in September, rising for the second consecutive month, benefiting from stronger demand and new models ahead of key holidays.

Persons: Fabrizio Bensch, Ola Kaellenius, Christoph Steitz, Tristan Chabba, Rachel More Organizations: Volkswagen, REUTERS, Rights, German, Benz, BMW, carmakers, Thomson Locations: Salzgitter, Germany, Europe, North America, China

☆ Exclusive: Siemens Energy considers factory, office closures at wind division -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Christoph Steitz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Siemens Gamesa sign is displayed at the renewable energy company's headquarters in Zamudio, Spain, April 28, 2022. Shares in Siemens Energy, which was spun off from Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) in 2020, rose as much as 2.5% after the report. Siemens Energy Chief Executive Christian Bruch is under pressure to present a convincing turnaround plan for Siemens Gamesa after detailing far-reaching problems just a few months after assuming full ownership of the division. Bruch said in August that Siemens Gamesa would prioritise profitability and stability over growth, suggesting a brimming order book needed to lead to healthy profits. A spokesperson referred to comments from Bruch in August, who said the most important thing was to stabilise Siemens Gamesa and that Siemens Energy was looking at all options.

Persons: Vincent West, Christian Bruch, Bruch, Christoph Steitz, Alexander Huebner, Danilo Masoni, Alexander Smith Organizations: Siemens, REUTERS, Companies Siemens Energy, Siemens Energy, Siemens Gamesa, Siemens AG, Thomson Locations: Zamudio, Spain, FRANKFURT, Frankfurt

☆ Europe could become energy self-sufficient in $2 trillion push - study
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Electrical power pylons with high-voltage power lines are seen next to wind turbines near Weselitz, Germany November 18, 2022. REUTERS/Lisi Niesner Acquire Licensing RightsFRANKFURT, Oct 5 (Reuters) - Europe could wean itself off fossil fuels and create a self-sustainable energy sector by spending around 2 trillion euros ($2.1 trillion) on solar, wind and other regenerative sources by 2040, according to a new study. The law raises the EU's renewable energy targets, requiring 42.5% of EU energy to be renewable by 2030, replacing a previous 32% target. It said renewable energy supply would need to grow by 20% per year to meet expected power demand by 2030. ($1 = 0.9531 euros)Reporting by Christoph Steitz, Editing by Rachel More and Alex RichardsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lisi Niesner, Christoph Steitz, Rachel More, Alex Richardson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Potsdam Institute, Climate Impact, Reuters, Aquila Capital, Thomson Locations: Weselitz, Germany, Europe, Russian, Ukraine

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