"Maybrit Illner": the boss of VW promises a car "like Tesla, but half cheaper" – Politics

First braked thoroughly, then emergency brake: the most modern engine in Germany has gone in record time from a thrifty air conditioner to the forbidden polluter. Maybrit Illner asks: "Ghost politics trip – who pays for the diesel scandal?"

The guests

▶ Helge Braun (46, CDU). The President of the Federal Chancellery wants VW & Co. fakes to be rigged free of charge until they are allowed to drive everywhere.

▶ Cem Özdemir (52 years old, Greens). The ex-party leader is chairman of the transport committee of the Bundestag.

Herbert Diess (60). The VW boss drove up in 2014 to BMW's electric car.

▶ Prof. Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann (48) runs an institute of environmental medicine in Munich.

▶ Cerstin Gammelin (53). The economic journalist writes for the "Süddeutsche Zeitung". She does not have a car.

▶ Matthias Schmitz. The wounded VW was already at the last conversation on Illner diesel three weeks ago.

Politics, business, press and victim: who will improve the Zoff-o-Meter?

To begin, a green circle

The Minister of Chancellery asks: "Driving bans must be proportionate." The journalist records "a great activism". The Greens even see a "panic reaction before the parliamentary elections" in Hesse.

The Zoff-o-Meter is about to begin: "Stop with smoke candles!", Özdemir slams the minister. "Make cars cleaner! You can also invest in other means of transportation!" This still attracts, the public applauds.

Calming evening pill

The boss of VW wants to move up a gear: "The discussion is too emotional and too exaggerated," he says. "Since 1990, nitrogen oxides have been reduced by 70%.

The rolling prohibition values ​​explained Diess with the location of measuring points "in transit traffic, in close development". 200 meters further, the situation is often much better and in general: "The problem has disappeared in two years!"

A large portion of chalk

The diesel owner, Schmitz, has behind him a software update, but does not see that he should still pay for a hardware upgrade because his car still does not meet the limit. emissions.

The boss of VW looks straight in the eyes: "We are sorry, what we did to you", he murmurs. "And I'm grateful for your participation – your vehicle is now legal."

How to please It is true that the Schmitz diesel now has a valid exhaust emission permit. However, in areas of driving prohibition, it is still not allowed to enter.

Self-praise of the evening

"We have legalized ten million vehicles through software updates," boasts Diess.

"My car is safe again, but what road safety has to do with the restrictions of the road?" Schmitz said. Good question!

Most important requirement

The Minister Chancellor joins the disappointed: "We ask the sector to help us help diesel drivers, whose cars are perfectly in good working order, but are now threatened by bans driving in city centers", he said a little complicated.

Incidentally, the government has already taken many steps to improve the air, smiled Brown, as there were: "Clean buses, clean urban centers, an incentive parking system – for that, I Would also like to be congratulated! "

"OIII" Laughs Illner. "With the taxpayer money!

Worst threat

"The material conversion is coming late," admits Diess. "But I'm not sure if Schmitz wants it at all."

Then, the VW manager describes the operation in detail: it is necessary to remove the spare tire. Holes in the carpet. Tubes for urea AdBlue. 10 hours of work.

And that's not all. Subsequently, fuel consumption increases. "And if you need to reload AdBlue on vacation, you can clear the startup beforehand!", He explains.

Reasonable proposal

Schmitz already knows that, but still asks: "Who can guarantee that if I do, my car will not be locked in three, four or five years?"

Why Diess now brings a very different proposal: instead of re-equipping a young car of opportunity plus an offer of advantageous financing. Schmitz wants to listen to this: "I'm waiting for your call!"

Future vision of the evening

The minister also finds that such exchanges are good. But for modernization, he says his boss is tough: "The industry has to pay all the costs, we can not ask the diesel driver to pay!"

The boss of VW has to swallow hard: "Yes, but that's just what, because we can relax much better in other ways," he laments. Better traffic, better buses … "

Naughty question

"How many modern buses does VW offer?", Özdemir intervenes. Municipalities should order the desired e-buses in distant China.

"We are now very strong," Diess promises. "We have invested 30 billion euros in electromobility.We have already dedicated a new factory in Zwickau.We are building an electric vehicle factory in Shanghai."

And: "We will come in 2020 with vehicles that can do anything like Tesla and are cheaper by half!"

Most sober statement

"Nitrogen oxides are a major threat to health," says Medizinerin Traidl-Hoffmann. "Cardiovascular diseases, asthma, allergies, even diabetes …"

But: "Driving bans do not help, because these are all long-term effects, which is why only long-term measures can help: smart mobility, smart fuels."

Funniest comparison

"And then there is also the fine dust," notes the reporter. And other harmful factors.

Conclusion: Count only on the reduction of nitrogen oxides such as "Stop smoking, but continue to eat Black Forest cake". Always these spoilers appetite …

Most optimistic announcement

"Electric vehicles will increase battery mobility," admits Diess.

But: "In the years 2019 to 2020, there will be very attractive vehicles, which will be an alternative for many customers in terms of price, performance, range and loadability, and then comes a big boom! "

Evening quote

"We need diesel for the global climate for a long time!" (Braun)

conclusion

A lot of future music, but still no really convincing solution of the current problems. It was a discussion of the category "exploration".