India’s Environmental Minister Jairam Ramesh’s jab at diesel-powered trucks and SUVs is turning into a major diplomatic row. Turns out that he didn’t just call drivers of diesel-powered trucks and SUVs criminals. He also said that said the mere act of driving big-engined luxury models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz in India was “criminal”. Jaguars weren’t mentioned.
That immediately triggered a vigorous diplomatic response from Berlin. Germany’s Ambassador to Delhi, Thomas M. Matussek, said that German automakers are known for ground-breaking fuel efficiency standards. “It is very difficult to imagine that Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests, has made such specific comments on fuel technology with reference to German automotive manufacturers,” said the ambassador in a sharply worded demarche, sent in the direction of India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests.
With apparent input from German automotive interests, the German envoy to India praised Germany’s “most outstanding expertise in the area of engine development,” and said that the German automotive technology “is far advanced in reducing both fuel consumption and fuel emissions,” reports The Hindustan Times. He didn’t mention the nations that are being trumped by Germany, but you can fill in the blanks yourself.
And take this, India: “Leading German automotive manufacturers are already engaged in developing ground breaking fuel efficiency standards which may define how cars of tomorrow may be conceptualized,” the ambassador threatened.
If India’s auto industry wants to fulfill its dream of becoming a major export hub for cars, then India’s auto industry needs to put its minister of birds, bees, and trees on a shorter leash: European rules for fuel efficiency and emissions are tough and are getting tougher. You need to pass an exam called European Whole Vehicle Type Approval before getting admitted. The program is run by the European governments, but the opinion of the German Kraftfahrtbundesamt usually carries a lot of weight.
On the other hand Bertel, Indian car-makers have their own home market as their own playground (so to speak). I mean, India could kick out Mercedes Benz, BMW and Audi out tomorrow and life in India wouldn’t miss a beat. But if German firms were to be kept out, that would make their lives that much more difficult (and that much more easier for Jaguar and Land Rover).
There is nothing funnier than a couple of politicians sparring mightily at each other through their embassies. It makes them happy to pretend that they accomplished something, and makes for good press.
One is reminded of that thing the bard said about the poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, full of sound and fury…
True, true. They could kick them out, but they could kiss their derrieres good-bye at the WTO. It’s not that easy anymore.
I know, I know. What is shocking to me is the tough talk. Mercedes didn’t sound so tough (and neither did the German guv) a few months ago when the US took actions against it.
If they tried this kind of trash talk down here, I’m sure they’d get a bunch of trash (false) threats from the guv.
Sorry, I’d have to disagree with the WTO. Yes, they’ll kick them out, but it won’t matter a jot to India or China for that matter.
They way I see it is that India and China and over a billion potential customers each! Even if the WTO imposed sanctions against them, they’ll just keep on trucking (albeit at a slow pace). Look at Baidu. Pretty much only China use it. But it is the seventh most viewed website in the world. China Mobile operates only in China (with a small subsidiary in Pakistan), but it is the most subscribed mobile phone network in the world.
This is what is going to make India and China different superpowers from the United States. Not only will they have the economic and financial might, they’ll have the people behind it.
Just my 2p worth.
Well, no, Cammy. In an all-out trade armageddon, where everyone goes all protectionist, those countries that have based their economies on exports (Germany, Japan, Korea, China, India) will crash the hardest. The Chinese government, in particular, is well aware of the tremendous social unrest that it would have to deal with, were it not able to “export” its unemployment to other countries. That’s why that government has made it very clear that allowing its currency to appreciate is a non-starter.
To give you an idea of how ridiculous the situation is, American furniture manufacturers can ship raw wood to China, have it made into furniture, ship the furniture back to the US and sell it more cheaply than if they simply made the furniture here. Think about that: the differential is so great that the cost of shipping bulky stuff (wood, furniture) round trip between China and the US can be absorbed into the price of the product . . . and it’s still cheaper.
That’s nutso.
To be sure, a trade war would hurt everyone, including the US. But it would hurt the countries with export-driven economies the most: Germany, Japan, Korea, China, India.
There were thousands of time negative reports about Tata Nano in Germany but no one from deplomatic leval protested. Fact is that Tata Nano sales will directly employ many Germans if they are sold in Germany because around 20 German company are directly involved in it.
India should protest on German visa regulations or apply same rules to all Germans willing to work in India. Germans hardly understand Indian work culture and have no basic knowledge of local language. There are around 25000 Indians learn German every year and not more than 10 Germans learn Hindi or any other language. Germans never higher top level managers from non EU countiese except US/Swiss. Where as Tatas itself have atleat two Germans working in India- one for Tata motors and one for Taj hotel.
Indogerman-trade from Germany
There have been negative newspaper reports in Germany about the Nano, but I can’t remember that German government members have called potential Nano buyers criminals or idiots. Hence no government reactions from India.
“Jaguars weren’t mentioned.”
Last time I checked Jag did not make trucks and SUVs, sad to see a minster minister of birds, bees, and trees in India has facts straighter than a self proclaimed auto expert named Bertel.
“If India’s auto industry wants to fulfill its dream of becoming a major export hub for cars, then India’s auto industry needs to put its minister of birds, bees, and trees on a shorter leash”
Few more facts for you Bertel.
– Automotive manufacturing in India tripled from 2000-2009 while that in US halved.
– Germany made less cars in 2009 than in 2000
– India makes more cars than UK and Italy combined
– India makes more cars than France, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Australia and Russia
It is not hard to figure which way the wind is blowing, but you don’t want those pesky little numbers unsettle your preconceived notions, perhaps it is time to pull your head out of teutonic derrieres ?
Last time I checked Jag did not make trucks and SUVs, sad to see a minster minister of birds, bees, and trees in India has facts straighter than a self proclaimed auto expert named Bertel.
Maybe a commenter named drifter was too eager to condemn Bertel and didn’t read closely enough:
“he didn’t just call drivers of diesel-powered trucks and SUVs criminals. He also said that said the mere act of driving big-engined luxury models from BMW and Mercedes-Benz in India was ‘criminal\'”
But if you just wanted to sound tough, well, maybe it worked.
Easy answer: Jaguar is owned by Tata Motors…too uncivilised to bash the home companies.
The scumbag is just an envy-ridden parasite not unlike the American “Liberal”.
He is Al Gore’s even more psychotic baby brother.
Thanks to you, Saudis will be laughing all the way to bank
Aaron, when you disagree with someone is it possible for you to do so without completely trashing their character?
His character is already trash…How is it you do not recognise that? LOL! Don’t bother.