Tens of thousands of jobs threatened, entire plants under scrutiny – there is a huge need for discussion at VW: After a series of extraordinary works meetings, the last of these meetings between the Board of Management and the workforce is scheduled for the time being at Volkswagen today in Hanover before possible new resolutions.
It was and is about nothing less than the future of the group, which also includes Porsche and Audi - VW is one of the largest employers in Germany.
The management wants to reduce costs and improve competitiveness, while the workforce, trade unions and politicians fear for jobs and locations. As early as this week, the austerity course could become more concrete at a supervisory board meeting. An interim result:
The ongoing job cuts – 50,000 jobs by 2030 – are not enough from the point of view of the Executive Board around CEO Oliver Blume. The management is working on a "target image for 2030". Since then, tens of thousands of additional jobs and four entire locations have been feared:
Emden, Zwickau, the Audi plant in Neckarsulm and Hanover, where commercial vehicles are built. CFO Arno Antlitz faces the employees there today. He will emphasize the need for further austerity measures – as Blume did before.
"We have to reduce complexity, consistently streamline our structures and reduce costs," Blume said at the works meeting at the Wolfsburg plant. "Tariffs, new competitors and geopolitical risks: The entire automotive industry is under enormous pressure." The VW Group had "taken countermeasures at an early stage" and had begun to realign the group and brands. "Our market share is growing. But that's not enough"
With a view to the impending job cuts, the VW boss said that the next step would be to focus in particular on costs outside direct vehicle production - i.e. group offices, central functions, development or sales.
In view of the pressure to save, there are also to be noticeable cuts in management. They are taking a close look there and cutting a quarter of the jobs, said CEO Blume at the Emden plant. "All areas must do their part; it is a feat of strength that can only succeed together," he said.
Full story Last works meeting for the time being: Where VW stands now, what needs to be done now
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