Volkswagen weighs 50,000 more job cuts, lifting total to 100,000
Why it matters: The deeper cuts reflect a 20% cost gap, falling sales in China and weaker US demand hit by import tariffs.
Volkswagen is assessing whether to cut about 50,000 additional jobs worldwide, a move that would bring planned reductions across the group to as many as 100,000. In a memo to staff, CEO Oliver Blume said the carmaker had identified a 20% cost disadvantage versus rival companies and was reviewing what changes were necessary across brands, businesses and regions. The group had already agreed to eliminate roughly 50,000 positions, including cuts at Porsche and Audi and 35,000 at the core VW brand in Germany by 2030. The pressure has intensified as profit fell sharply and sales dropped 26% in China in the first half, while US sales slipped more than 7%.