Volkswagen is facing a crisis. Often considered a symbol of Germany’s industrial power, it’s now reckoning with a difficult transition to electric vehicles, among other issues. And now, management is considering breaking a long-held taboo: closing German factories. Patricia Nilsson, the FT’s Frankfurt correspondent, heads to VW’s headquarters in Wolfsburg to examine the fallout and what’s next.

Clips from Bloomberg, DW News, CNN

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For further reading:

For European carmakers, EVs are a Catch-22

Why Volkswagen is seeking to break the taboo of closing German plants

VW audit of Xinjiang plant failed to meet international standards

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On X, follow Patricia Nilsson (@patricianilsson) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Companies in Japan have long avoided foreign acquisitions. But Canada-based Alimentation Couche-Tard’s recent unsolicited bid for the owner of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain is testing that premise. The FT’s Tokyo bureau chief Leo Lewis examines how these events could shape corporate Japan’s future.

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For further reading:

The takeover fight that could reshape Japan

After 7-Eleven, Japan’s M&A scene may never be the same again

7-Eleven bid is the next stage in revitalising corporate Japan

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On X, follow Leo Lewis (@urbandirt) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As Jay Powell’s Federal Reserve contemplates making the first interest rate cut in more than two years, we’re taking a step back with the FT’s US financial commentator Robert Armstrong. How did Powell tame inflation without crashing the economy? And how might history judge his leadership?

Clips from Associated Press

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For further reading:

Is Jay Powell lucky or good?

Remain calm

Martin Sandbu’s column: A self-congratulatory inflation narrative at Jackson Hole

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On X, follow Robert Armstrong (@rbrtrmstrng) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Want to hear more from Rob? Listen to the Unhedged podcast.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.