Volkswagen Cuts 2026 Profit Outlook on China Slump and Porsche Writedown
Volkswagen has dramatically cut its 2026 profit outlook, now expecting an operating margin of no more than 1% this year, down from its previous forecast of at least 4%. The German carmaker expects around €10 billion, or $11.5 billion, in charges this year, including restructuring costs tied to workforce reductions and writedowns on Chinese assets; that total includes a €6-billion writedown related to Porsche, reflecting revised long-term expectations for the sports-car maker. Excluding the exceptional charges, Volkswagen said its operating margin would be around 4%. Volkswagen shares fell more than 7% following the announcement, dragging other automakers lower. Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz said the Chinese market has contracted by around 20%, with no stabilization currently in sight, while Chinese automakers take domestic share and expand into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles. Volkswagen also said growing EV sales are weighing on profitability at its Volkswagen passenger-car and Audi businesses, and it recently reached an agreement with labor representatives that could increase planned job cuts to 100,000 globally.
Unusually Large Business Delegation to Join Xi's US Visit, with BYD and Xiaomi Among Candidates
The US and Chinese governments are finalizing the selection of top Chinese business figures to accompany President Xi Jinping on his visit to the United States, according to three people familiar with the matter. According to the sources, candidates include Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, smartphone maker Xiaomi, which has also expanded into EVs, battery giants CATL and Gotion High-Tech, home appliance maker Hisense Group, auto parts supplier Wanxiang Group, state-owned Bank of China, and agricultural conglomerate COFCO. Accompanying a large business delegation to the United States would be an unusual move. According to the people, the finalization of the delegation's members will wait for talks this weekend between US Treasury Secretary Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, with formal invitations to be sent to each company within the next few days, and the US State Department is expected to approve visas for the delegation. CATL and BYD were added to the US Department of Defense's corporate list in January 2025 and June 2026, respectively, over alleged ties to the Chinese military. China's Foreign Ministry, responding to a Reuters question, said it had no information.
Hyundai CEO Warns Chinese Cars Could Flood U.S. Without Tariffs
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz warned that Chinese vehicles could flood the U.S. market, as they did in Europe, unless Washington maintains tariffs and other trade safeguards, Reuters reported. Munoz noted that Chinese vehicles are 30%-40% cheaper than rival models in some markets including Italy, Spain and France, even with EU trade barriers such as tariffs and minimum pricing commitments in place. He said the UK, which left the EU in 2020 and has no similar tariffs on Chinese cars, now counts all of its top car sellers as Chinese, and warned similar things could happen in the U.S. at different levels unless certain conditions are met. The U.S. has effectively blocked Chinese electric vehicle imports with tariffs of about 100%, though President Donald Trump recently said he would be open to Chinese automakers manufacturing in the U.S. as long as they employ Americans. Munoz's remarks echoed Ford CEO Jim Farley, who told staff in July that the company was bracing for Chinese automakers to enter the U.S. within the next 5-10 years.
