WKÖ-Klacska: The transport industry needs positive signals

Gloomy business prospects for the transport industry in the coming months – Klacska therefore calls for incentives for investments

Vienna (OTS) – According to the economic test, which Wifo carries out quarterly for the WKÖ federal division Transport and Traffic, the fourth quarter went better than expected for the companies in the industry. However, the view into the near future is clouded. No wonder for Alexander Klacska, chairman of the Federal Department of Transport and Traffic in the WKÖ: “The transport industry needs positive signals and incentives for investments. Instead, more and more obstacles are being placed in its way,” criticizes Klacska, addressing, among other things, the planned eco-investment allowance ordinance, which not only excludes the transport industry from the eco-investment allowance, which one still understands, but also from the investment allowance in general. “This does not exactly boost the willingness to invest and the optimism of companies,” warns Klacska.

In fact, the business survey among companies in the industry shows that demand was still satisfactory over the past three months, but that a decline is expected in the coming months. The future business situation is also assessed negatively by significantly more than half of the companies. Almost 7 out of 10 companies describe the current order backlog as “at least sufficient”. However, compared to the survey in the previous quarter, a slight decline is noticeable.

Labor shortage as an obstacle in doing business

The companies in the mobility industry are more positive when it comes to future expectations for the development of employees. Here, more than half of those surveyed expect their number of employees to increase. At the same time, however, 4 out of 10 respondents cite labor shortages as the primary obstacle to their business activities, making it the most common obstacle.

Here, Federal Division Chairman Klacska hopes that the planned new EU driving license directive will have an effect: It provides that young people from the age of 17 can already take their driving test and, according to the concept of “accompanying driving”, can start gaining practical driving experience of cars and trucks . “This could eliminate one of the biggest obstacles for young people entering the workforce, namely the gap between the age at which they finish school and the age at which they are allowed to become professional drivers,” says Klacska. But also simplifications in the red-white-red card and a targeted recruitment of drivers from abroad is necessary to counteract the shortage of workers.

“It is clear that we urgently need impetus: This ranges from measures to combat the labor shortage to an eco-social climate policy and market mechanisms. This is about incentives that motivate companies to switch to CO2-neutral drive technologies and not about obstacles. Ultimately, this means that no investments are made in modern, environmentally friendly vehicles and older trucks remain in use for longer,” concludes Klacska. (PWK079/DFS)