Volkswagen AGVW CEO urges further cost cuts due to high labor costs and restructuring, with plant closures and job cuts at risk.
Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume on Thursday addressed employees at the electric vehicle (EV) plants in Emden and Zwickau, which are particularly affected by the company's restructuring plans, praising their cost-cutting efforts while urging further action. According to excerpts of the speech released by VW, Blume said, "Current labor costs are more than double those at comparable European sites. Operating costs at other plants are also still significantly lower," emphasizing that the comparison is against the best-performing sites in Europe. He also stressed that despite the uncertain future of the two plants, VW would not end its involvement, stating, "Together with partners and investors, we will fight to protect the industrial future and jobs at each site with new industrial solutions." VW is set to discuss the restructuring plan at a supervisory board meeting on September 4, and Blume has been visiting various sites this week to garner support. Daniela Cavallo, who leads the works council, said that problems caused by tariffs, competition from Chinese rivals, and weak European demand cannot be solved through job cuts or plant closures. The Osnabrück plant is also at risk of closure, with car production potentially ending as early as next year. In addition to the Emden and Zwickau plants, the Hanover camper van plant and the Audi subsidiary's Neckarsulm plant currently have no business plans beyond 2030.
Volkswagen AGVW CEO urges further cost cuts due to high labor costs and restructuring, with plant closures and job cuts at risk.
Volkswagen AG VZO O.N.VW CEO urges further cost cuts due to high labor costs and restructuring, with plant closures and job cuts at risk.