16:49 - 25.08.2026

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August 25, Fineko/abc.az. German automaker Volkswagen (VW) Group is navigating one of the most severe crises in its history. Management's plans to eliminate an additional 50,000 jobs and shut down five factories in Germany have sparked strong pushback from workforce representatives and trade unions. Speaking before more than 10,000 protesting employees at the Wolfsburg headquarters, Works Council Chief Daniela Cavallo stated that trust in CEO Oliver Blume has been severely damaged and firmly rejected any factory closures.

In response, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume signaled that management will not back down from its restructuring roadmap. Emphasizing that the company cannot fund its future operations with a low profit margin of around 3.8%, Blume blamed aggressive Chinese competition, expensive excess capacity in Germany, and billions in US customs duties. IG Metall, Germany's largest trade union, alongside the state government of Lower Saxony, backed the workers, warning of massive protests if the downsizing strategy is pursued.