Habeck: Autonomous driving 'huge opportunity' for German automakers

German Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck described autonomous driving as a "huge opportunity" for German carmakers during a meeting with auto industry leaders on Monday.

Habeck, a Green who also serves as economy minister, called the technology an opportunity for manufacturers and the economy as well as a potential benefit for road safety, driving comfort and the environment.

"We just need to pick up momentum now and not slow down," he said, adding that the future of driving will be autonomous sooner or later.

However, the competition from automakers in the United States and China is immensely tough, said Habeck. "We have to be the most innovative country."

The gathering focused on the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI) for autonomous driving. Manufacturers are working together on a project funded by the German government, with car companies providing the data.

Habeck said that the safety of autonomous driving would be increased by "training" AI programmes.

Negative headlines have recently been increasing in the German car industry. Manufacturers are struggling with weak sales figures and high costs for the switch to electric drives.

At the same time, business abroad is faltering, especially in China.

Marcus Bollig, managing director of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), said that more climate-friendly engines and increasing digitalization are transforming the industry.

Bollig stressed that a leading role for the German automotive industry in autonomous and highly automated driving could be a decisive criterion for success in the future.