Neither Electric Nor Gasoline: Mercedes-Benz Shifts Toward Defense Production (xataka.com)

• Mercedes-Benz CEO suggests defense industry entry is viable
• German automakers face crisis while defense sector booms
• Industrial conversion from auto to military production is increasingly seen as strategic

"Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius has signaled the company's willingness to enter the defense industry, reflecting a broader shift among German automakers toward military production. Facing declining profits, Chinese competition, and high energy costs, automakers see defense contracts as stable, publicly funded growth. This aligns with Europe's rapid rearmament post-Ukraine, where industrial capabilities for advanced cars (metallurgy, electronics, robotics) are increasingly useful for military systems. The move blurs the line between civilian and military industrial production in Europe."