Against the Wall

When Automotive Titans Align with WOT’s Vision

While some predict a 100% electric future, others are calling for a return to reality. Last week, the CEOs of two of the biggest names in German automotive Ola Källenius of Mercedes-Benz and Oliver Zipse of BMW, publicly warned Europe. Their message is clear: the complete ban on new combustion vehicles in 2035 is driving us straight into a wall. A stance that validates a vision we at WOT have defended for years.

The Wall of 2035: A Warning from the Giants

The tone, set by Ola Källenius, leaves no room for doubt: “We need a return to reality. Otherwise, we’re heading full speed into a wall.” The Mercedes CEO and president of the European carmakers' lobby (ACEA) warns that the ban could trigger a market collapse, pushing consumers to rush toward combustion models before the deadline, without ensuring a smooth transition to electric. Rather than a ban, he advocates for “technology-neutral decarbonization”, which would leave the door open to all solutions.

The echo from his BMW counterpart, Oliver Zipse, is just as strong. Stating that we shouldn’t “put all our eggs in one basket,” he cautions against a one-size-fits-all strategy and defends keeping options like hydrogen, synthetic fuels, and hybrids on the table. His position isn’t from a lack of ambition on electrics, BMW and Mini already represent 25% of their European sales, but from a concern for pragmatism in the face of a complex transition. For them, the future must also include renewable fuels for the 250 million vehicles already on the road.

Combustion: The Last Bastion of Brand Identity

These public statements are proof that the identity crisis we’ve discussed in previous articles is far from imaginary. These brands, built on decades of engineering excellence, can’t simply offer soulless electric motors, especially not when facing Chinese competition that cares little for mechanical legacy.

By defending combustion engines, the leaders of Mercedes and BMW aren’t just defending the economy or the industry, they're defending a part of their brands’ very identity. Mercedes’ efforts to offload development of its small combustion engines (by partnering with BMW and sourcing from Renault and Geely) aren’t a sign of weakness, but a survival strategy. By focusing on its most prestigious powertrains (V6 and V8), the star-branded marque hopes to preserve them and navigate increasingly strict regulations. The goal is to safeguard the performance and engineering that have always defined its soul.

WOT: Already on the Right Track

The statements by Oliver Zipse and Ola Källenius confirm what we’ve been saying for years: the future of performance will inevitably rely on optimized, efficient, and compliant combustion engines. Rather than a risky all-electric revolution, we believe in a pragmatic evolution, one that enhances and elevates existing technologies as the most reasonable path forward.

At WOT, we don’t just hope for a better future for combustion engines, we're building it. We are investing heavily in developing high-performance calibrations that meet and exceed emissions standards. Every month, we expand our catalog of engines for which we offer certified remaps, proving it’s possible to combine power, driving pleasure, and environmental responsibility.

The path the automotive titans are now advocating? We’re already on it. And we’re convinced it’s the only one that can ensure the longevity of our passion for years to come.