As Vollbremsung and ausbremsen appear 2 paragraphs apart I dont really see the need to preserve the image - and dont really think its possible anyway! Depends to some extent on the tone/register of the text, I like Philgoddards suggestion and the idea of stagnation often suits the German economy.
You could also play with:
The brakes are on...
German economy grinds to a halt... (or screeching to a halt - but maybe a bit dramatic!)
etc.
(one possibility for the 2nd sentence: (rest assured that) our newsletter will continue to keep you up to speed..)

for example:
"Eurozone and world financial crisis 'puts brakes on the economy'

Economic growth is shuddering to a halt because of the weakening world economy and the prospect of a severe financial crisis in the eurozone, two leading think tanks warn today.

A forecast from the Centre for Economic and Business Research says the UK economy is at a virtual standstill, with growth likely to reach just 0.6 per cent in 2011."

Read more: http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2049850/W...

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Note added at 1 hr (2011-10-21 16:48:05 GMT)
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British economy slams on the brakes... (more of the same but shows that its used in the same way as the German with economy as the one applying the brakes)