Volkswagen accelerates turnaround plans as global challenges and China competition intensify
Updated
Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 30
Volkswagen accelerates turnaround plans as global challenges and China competition intensify
12 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · Apr 30
The German carmaker kept its 2026 operating-margin target at 4%-5.5% after first-quarter revenue fell 2.5% to 75.66 billion euros and operating profit dropped to 2.46 billion euros.
CFO Arno Antlitz said tariffs, fiercer competition in China and pressure from Chinese exports to Europe mean planned cost cuts are insufficient, requiring structural changes to Volkswagen's business model.
The group, which includes VW, Audi and Porsche, plans to lower manufacturing and overhead costs, raise plant efficiency and speed technology development after missing analyst expectations for revenue and profit.
Can Volkswagen's €60 billion cost-cutting plan save it without sacrificing future innovation?
As tens of thousands of jobs are cut, is Volkswagen abandoning its German roots to survive?
Are VW's new tech partnerships in China enough to win back the world's largest auto market?
Caught in a global trade war, can Volkswagen rebuild its supply chains before it's too late?
As EV sales slow, is VW's renewed focus on hybrid vehicles a smart pivot or a costly detour?
Will VW's massive investment in Rivian's software finally solve its notorious in-car tech problems?