BearingPoint

Frankfurt – September 10, 2026 -- Rising energy and fuel prices are changing consumer behavior in Germany but failing to trigger a rapid shift toward climate-friendly energy solutions, according to a new BearingPoint survey. The management and technology consultancy found that 53% of respondents plan no switch to greener mobility or heating options over the next two years, leaving fossil fuel infrastructure under sustained demand for longer than markets anticipated.

Higher prices cut driving but stop short of triggering investment

The survey shows 38% of respondents report driving less due to energy and fuel price increases over the past twelve months. Around a quarter shifted to alternatives: 11% use public transport more often, 13% cycle more, and 4% use electric vehicles more frequently. Meanwhile, 42% say price increases had no effect on their mobility behavior at all.

Frankfurt am Main – September 07, 2026 -- Germany is the only major European banking market where non-performing loans (NPLs) are rising again, with the stock of bad debt at German banks climbing 87% between 2019 and 2025, according to a new BearingPoint study covering 216 European banks over a 13-year period.

The increase runs counter to the broader European trend: most markets across the continent continued to reduce problem loans over the same period, even as the sector-wide average NPL ratio fell to 1.9%.

Frankfurt – September 07, 2026 -- BYD has climbed to fifth place among the most attractive electric vehicle brands for German consumers actively planning a purchase within the next three years, up from 11th place in the general population, according to a new BearingPoint study.

BYD outperforms among active buyers while legacy brands hold overall lead

Across the full sample, Volkswagen leads brand attractiveness at 31%, followed by Audi at 29% and BMW at 28%. Among the subset of consumers with concrete purchase intent, BMW tops the ranking at 44%, ahead of Audi at 31% and Volkswagen at 30%. BYD scores 20% in this group, surpassing Kia, Hyundai, Ford, Tesla and Skoda.