Saxon automotive industry advocates for greater openness to the world

The automobile manufacturers BMW and Volkswagen in Saxony have clearly positioned themselves against populist and extremist movements in the current migration debate.

"Populism and extremism endanger growth, prosperity, and jobs," BMW stated upon request.

Xenophobia is a risk factor for the location and a threat to economic success. The background is the current migration debate. Experts have repeatedly warned that the current political situation and agitation against people with a migration background could damage Saxony's image and exacerbate the skilled labor shortage.

BMW warns against simple solutions for complex issues

"Xenophobia and intolerance deter urgently needed skilled workers and exacerbate the already existing shortage," emphasized BMW company spokesman Kai Lichte. "We need an open-minded environment." Diversity is the foundation on which BMW's success is built. 

Accordingly, employees from more than 110 nations worldwide work in the BMW Group. According to Lichte, the political discussion should focus less on controversial and emotionally charged issues.

"It would be more relevant for us to clearly commit to sustainable economic growth." This is the basic prerequisite for almost everything else. "And we should be cautious when simple solutions for complex issues are offered to us," emphasized Lichte. 

BMW is particularly concerned about the long-term development in the labor market:

"According to the Institute for Employment Research, Germany is already lacking workers for 1.73 million unfilled positions."

Without immigration, this problem would be even greater. According to BMW, more than 500,000 skilled workers could be lacking in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg alone by 2035.