Germany's Auto Crisis: A Tale of Two Cultures The debate over working hours in Germany's automotive industry has reached a fever pitch, with carmakers pushing for a 40 hour workweek without extra pay and unions fiercely opposing any changes to what they see as a hard won right.
The issue appears straightforward at first – labor costs versus competitiveness – but it's actually a symptom of a larger problem: the industry is facing an identity crisis.
For decades, Germany's automotive sector has been built on high skilled workers, cutting edge technology, and a commitment to quality that earned German cars their reputation as among the best in the world.