Hinrich J. Woebcken, a former BMW executive, has been appointed by emission scandal-hit Volkswagen to oversee business operations in the US, Canada and Mexico. Woebcken will assume charge from 1 April 2016. Audi and Porsche brand don't come under Woebcken's area of operations. However, Volkswagen has retained Michael Horn as CEO of Volkswagen Group America Inc. The emission-scandal hit Volkswagen has been facing regulatory investigations in the US.
Germany
Challenge in Investment Banking and Trading Hurt Deutsche Bank
As an investment bank, a problem in investment-banking operation will damage the overall performance. Deutsche Bank suffered its first annual loss since 2008, followed by drastic drop of its shares.
Germany on a mission to bring home more than half of its gold reserves by 2020
Under a supposed repatriation program, Germany is bringing back its gold reserves from the vaults of Paris and New York. Germany had stored all its bullion overseas fearing a Soviet Union attack during the Cold War. Till date, the Deutsche Bundesbank has managed to get around 366 tons to Frankfurt, which is almost half of the total reserve of 674 tons that it plans to repatriate by 2020.
Deutsche Bank Reported €6.8 Billion Loss in 2015 Due to Poor Performance and Litigation Cost
Deutsche Bank AG reported €6.8 billion ($7.2 billion) losses in 2015. As a result, co-CEO John Cryan and Juergen Fitschen announced on Thursday that the management board will not receive bonus.
Higher Capital Requisites In Basel III Rules Lead To Volatile Gilt Market In The UK
Introduction of risk based regulation centering Basel III accord has pushed up costs of fund. As an aftermath, the January 20 auction of the UK sovereign bonds has witnessed the lowest demand in nearly seven years. Ahead of rising concerns over the increasing challenges in the UK gilt market, many of the world’s biggest banks are shrinking their bond-trading activities. However, concerns of the investors and dealers have been communicated to the regulators concerned through a meeting held on Tuesday.
Latest News
The submarine wreckage was found in 2012, but it took years to properly identify the vessel due to the sea conditions. The vessel was initially thought to be a Dutch submarine missing in 1940 but later confirmed to originate in Germany and went missing in 1915. The seabed scans showed more than 60 wrecks, but this U-boat showed up very unexpectedly.
Audi and Mercedes Benz, world famous German automakers have joined to express their interest for hydrogen fuel powered cell cars. Remaining one step ahead of Mercedes, Audi has already introduced its H-tron Quattro at the North American International Auto show, held at Detroit. Industry insiders assume, Mercedes, the lavish German carmaker will introduce its first hydrogen fuel cell car at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show.
The United Nations (UN) has received funding of $250million and needs additional $500 million for education programs for over one million Syrian children. Gordon Brown, the former UK Prime Minister and UN envoy for global education, is committed to mobilize money in next month. Brown has decided to raise money from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and other international conferences.
German factory orders grew 1.5 percent in November more than economists have projected mainly driven by the strong domestic demands.
German industrial production went down 1.1 percent month-on-month for the third quarter. According to Bloomberg Business, Berlin Economy Ministry reported the decline Friday, while economists expected a 0.5 percent increase. Germany has been struggling with the Chinese economic slowdown. The country is also grappling with the economic slowdown in other emerging countries where it exports most of its products.
This week, a surprising airline news claims that Airbus has expressed its interest in hiring newly arrived refugees in Germany. According to Airbus CEO, Tom Enders the refugees could work in the airline's facilities for a different wage rate.
The Mercedes-Benz cars manufacturer Daimler had released its third quarter report for record sales and revenues. The car cited strong progress in Western Europe which is its biggest market, but its feat was surpassed by the sales it made in China.
Adidas will open Speedfactory in Germany and in the U.S. The Speedfactory will boost the manufacturing process of Adidas shoes through the automated technology. The two factories will be fully integrated by the year 2020.
ProSiebenSat.1, a Munich-based German broadcaster, has acquired Swedish online travel agency Etraveli Holding AB for Euro235million ($267mn) from private equity (PE) firm Segulah IV LP. The acquisition deal for ProSiebenSat.1 is its biggest investment in the global e-Commerce. The German broadcaster will expand its digital operations globally following the acquisition. ProSiebenSat.1 is planning to expand beyond TV business.
