1. German gov't has suspended all asylum paperwork on Syrians, with the recent outcome of events in Syria. No one is saying it's terminated....just that if Assad is gone....it might not be such a bad place anymore.
If you asked me about Syrians in Germany for the past six to eight years....I'd suggest that those over the age of forty....probably will return. Younger folks.....probably are more settled into Germany and prefer to stay.
A political topic for the election? Maybe.
2. Fiat-Germany is offering the 500 series for 99 Euro a month (on lease).
3. SAP-Germany says one in seven jobs are going away (termination).
4. Some huge drop in airline travel occurred throughout German airports in November. Not a lot of explanation.
5. Interesting Syrian statistic in Germany....near 5,000 doctors/nurses are working within the German system. If they all leave...will create a massive 'hole'.
6. Weinheim had a huge water-park. Sunday....things caught on fire....so a good portion of park is 'gone'.
7. VW union folks met with management yesterday. Key quote by the union boss? "Car that normal people can afford." He suggests that the models are over-priced and jacked-up with 'extras'.
On this....I would be totally in agreement. There are probably 300 'extras' in my Audi A5 (2019-model). VW ought to have two models of pretty basic cars....you just need heat, a radio, and some safety equipment. You ought to be able to deliver such a model for 15k to 20k Euro.
My brother makes a big deal out of his GF's new SUV....where they actually have like 20 training modules online...each about 15 min to teach you X, Y and Z about all the features of the vehicle. I can remember a early 1970s car that my dad bought....that had a max of 15 'features'.
I hate to use the example....but Dacia (the Romanian car) is a pretty stripped-down and simple vehicle....which you can typically find around 19k to 24k Euro.
8. The Wacken-concert folks (held each summer in Germany) have procured the promise of 'Guns N Roses' band attending.....a BIG deal.
2 comments:
I own a Ford Kuga (diesel) with all the bells and whistles. Winter package, heated seats, steering wheel, windshield. Front and rear cameras, assisted driving, etc. etc. At my age, I need all the help I can get. IMHO Ford is an overlooked brand. Great car, reasonably priced, spare parts and service are much less than other brands.
Base model of the Kuga...runs 39k Euro (tax included), for 2024 model. With the extras....one could throw 8k Euro onto (maybe more). It's reasonable (at least in this era). I've walked around the BX show area of the US vehicles....pricing a lot of them at $65k min (without tax figured), which a lot of people are saying the models are beyond reason.
My general view is the question over maintenance cost/requirements....over 10 years. I don't see a problem with a 45k Euro vehicle....if I don't spend more than 5k Euro on parts to reach the 10-year point. That old Audi TT that my wife has (2007 model)....is around 8k Euro in maintenance/repairs....which is remarkable.
But the VW union guys are poking at the escalation of general pricing. Example: VW T-ROC (base model) is around 29k Euro (tax included). You go and add ALL of the extras....the vehicle goes up around 45k Euro.
Lets be honest....fear of this recession in Germany is carrying the bulk of the weight of this VW problem.
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