Overview

• Nearly half of the 158 suppliers surveyed between Sept. 1 and Sept. 22 rated their situation as bad or very bad.
• More than 60% of companies plan to cut jobs in response to sustained pressure on their businesses.
• About 80% expect to delay, relocate abroad, or cancel investments, with few maintaining or increasing plans.
• Over half report being moderately or strongly affected by US tariffs on industrial products.
• Only one in five anticipates improvement in the near term, and the VDA is urging Berlin and Brussels to prioritize competitiveness.