So, to condense the article:
German car industry says:
We are having a tough time! We're thinking of closing our German factories, and ending our "We don't fire people" Guarantee!
Politicians, please save us by regulating our competitors and exempting us from sales tax on new technologies!
Why?
Because our primary source of money before, was selling in China (40% to 50% of earnings), and now Chinese EVs have taken over both China and the local market! So, with our ~~shitty~~ expensive EVs, we can't compete, and, worst of all, China is buying less from us, so we are losing all that money!
Opinion:
German car industry means:
We kept selling to the most vulnerable market and pocketing innovation money, and now we got out-innovated and that market is no longer vulnerable!
Please give us tax-money and regulate our competitors away, otherwise we will make a political stink, and throw workers on the street!
Sure, no objections there