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Volkswagen's crisis

German carmaking giant Volkswagen is reeling from a massive sales and cost crisis and falling profits. It says it plans to scrap three plants and thousands of jobs in Germany.

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All Content on this topic

A picture of a crowd of VW workers in front of a car factory

A picture of a crowd of VW workers in front of a car factory

Labor dispute at VW escalates amid worsening cost crisis

VW workers went on strike in support of higher wages. But management wants to lay off workers and close factories.

Striking Volkswagen workers

Striking Volkswagen workers

Volkswagen workers strike at factories across Germany

The labor union has promised "the toughest wage dispute Volkswagen has ever seen."

A strike at a Volkswagen plant in November

A strike at a Volkswagen plant in November

Germany: Volkswagen strikes called by trade union

Union IG Metall has said tools will be laid down at all Volkswagen factories in Germany as workers demand more pay.

Aerial photo of thousands of unsold new cars waiting at a distribution center in Essen, western Germany. November 29, 2024. The cars are of various makes, but include multiple recognizable Volkswagens.

Aerial photo of thousands of unsold new cars waiting at a distribution center in Essen, western Germany. November 29, 2024. The cars are of various makes, but include multiple recognizable Volkswagens.

Volkswagen rejects union proposal as strikes loom

Volkswagen has rejected a proposal from labor representatives that they said could avert layoffs and factory closures.

Volkswagen-SAIC plant in Urumqi, China

Volkswagen-SAIC plant in Urumqi, China

Volkswagen to exit China's Xinjiang, sell factory

German car giant VW said that it would sell its factory and test track in Xinjiang for "economic reasons."

Workers in the production facility of the Leoni factory in Malososte near Nis, Serbia, producing automotive wiring

Workers in the production facility of the Leoni factory in Malososte near Nis, Serbia, producing automotive wiring

Are German carmakers exploiting Serbian workers?

Serbian workers experience hazardous working conditions despite a German supply-chain law meant to protect them.

A red light flashes near Volkswagen's factory in Osnabrück on November 6

A red light flashes near Volkswagen's factory in Osnabrück on November 6

Volkswagen stands by German factory closure plan

Volkswagen executive Schäfer said the firm must adjust to "new realities" as it intends to shut down German factories.

IG Metall members at warning strike in front of VW factory in Osnabrück, Germany

IG Metall members at warning strike in front of VW factory in Osnabrück, Germany

VW talks: German union demands deal before Christmas

Volkswagen has threatened plant closures and layoffs in a bid to reduce labor costs.

A Volkswagen ID.7

A Volkswagen ID.7

VW workers offer pay cut, threaten strike over crisis

German auto giant Volkswagen has said it aims to cut billions from its budget amidst a financial crisis at the company.

VW electric vehicle production line at the Zwickau factory

VW electric vehicle production line at the Zwickau factory

Germany's VW and Rivian launch joint electric car venture

The German automotive giant is investing billions to develop EVs in a joint venture with US electric carmaker Rivian.

A black-and-white historical image of a VW Beetle in a showroom, surrounded by a massive crowd of people, with a sign reading "1 million" hanging above it

A black-and-white historical image of a VW Beetle in a showroom, surrounded by a massive crowd of people, with a sign reading "1 million" hanging above it

Germany's Volkswagen crisis: an ode to nostalgia

German car manufacturer and long-time economic powerhouse Volkswagen has shaped the lives and memories of generations.

A man works on the production line in a car factory

A man works on the production line in a car factory

What Trump's tariffs mean for Germany's struggling industry

German businesses are bracing for the impact punitive tariffs from the US could have on their bottom lines.

Unsold cars in China

Unsold cars in China

VW seeks a way out of its crisis

VW in crisis. Does it just need to cut costs, or a change in strategy?

Ship in historic ship lift in Finow, Germany

Ship in historic ship lift in Finow, Germany

Technology trends: Yesterday and tomorrow — MADE

VW in big trouble, aviation fuel of the future, recycling solar panels and a ship lift.

Why is Volkswagen so important for Germany?

VW's long history isn't enough to help it out of crisis. It will need to reinvent what it does to make the jump to EVs.

German midfielder Jamal Musiala warms up with the ball at his feet in Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France

German midfielder Jamal Musiala warms up with the ball at his feet in Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France

How the VW crisis threatens German football sponsorships

Volkswagen's slump in profits and labor crisis could lead the German automaker to reconsider its football sponsorships.

Porsche cars in front of a German company headquarter building

Porsche cars in front of a German company headquarter building

Are Germany's subsidized company cars hurting EV adoption?

Germany spends billions of euros to subsidize company cars with combustion engines, slowing the electric mobility shift.

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

Multiple container ships are docked at Container Terminal Altenwerder at Hamburg Port

No recession, but little relief, for German economy

It seems like nothing but bad news these days for the German economy. Does new economic data offer some good news?

A VW employee presenting the company's ID.3 electric model

A VW employee presenting the company's ID.3 electric model

Can VW's bet on Brazil help as sales in Germany, China fall?

Volkswagen is facing a crisis in its key European and Asian markets, but business in Brazil is on the upswing — for now.

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

The entrance of the VW plant in Chemnitz showing a banner with a car, the outlines of people and a pulse curve.

How the VW crisis is a failure of Germany's car policy

Europe's biggest carmaker is in the midst of a severe sales and cost crisis. Is this actually just a sign of the times?

A person walks across the parking lot at the Volkswagen automobile plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., Friday, April 19, 2024. Workers at the plant finish voting Friday night on whether to join the United Auto Workers union.

A person walks across the parking lot at the Volkswagen automobile plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., Friday, April 19, 2024. Workers at the plant finish voting Friday night on whether to join the United Auto Workers union.

Volkswagen in crisis: Why is the German carmaker struggling?

Germany's labor union, IG Metall, is firm in negotiations over a 7% wage increase with the country's largest carmaker.

Members of the IG Metall metalworkers union demonstrate

Members of the IG Metall metalworkers union demonstrate

Volkswagen and workers clash over layoffs as profits plummet

Europe's biggest car manufacturer has reported a 64% profit slump and is now seeking to cut costs.

A group of VW workers demonstrating on September 25, 2024 in Hanover, northern Germany

A group of VW workers demonstrating on September 25, 2024 in Hanover, northern Germany

Volkswagen to scrap three plants and thousands of jobs

VW workers are demanding higher wages and job security, but management has announced a deeper-than-expected overhaul.

Porsche employees take part in a warning strike in front of the Porsche plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany

Porsche employees take part in a warning strike in front of the Porsche plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany

Germany metalworkers launch strikes over pay

Warning strikes have begun in Germany's metal and electrical industries as collective bargaining continues.

A Volkswagen flag in front of a dark gray cloudy sky.

A Volkswagen flag in front of a dark gray cloudy sky.

German automaker Volkswagen faces unprecedented crisis

Anger and concern among VW workers rise as potential layoffs and plant closures threaten their livelihoods.

VW intends to shut 3 German factories, works council says

The move is expected to slash thousands of jobs in Volkswagen as German automakers deal with high production costs.

DW REV Sendungslogo Composite

DW REV Sendungslogo Composite

REV — The Auto & Mobility Show

New Peugeot E-3008 EV tested. And dissecting the success of the iconic VW Golf — loved world over.

A picture showing the silhouette of the Volkswagen factory in the city of Wolfsburg, Germany.

A picture showing the silhouette of the Volkswagen factory in the city of Wolfsburg, Germany.

Germany: Will city of Wolfsburg survive Volkswagen's crisis?

Many in Wolfsburg work for VW. As the car giant considers cuts, residents worry about the northern German city's fate.

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

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REV Check Opel Zafira

REV Check Opel Zafira

Check: Testing the Opel Zafira Electric

REV’s tests the Opel Zafira Electric. Can it compete with more expensive vans like the VW ID. Buzz?

A view of the entrance of a Volkswagen plant in Emden Germany. A large VW sign in seen in the foreground to the left.

A view of the entrance of a Volkswagen plant in Emden Germany. A large VW sign in seen in the foreground to the left.

German carmaker VW cornered by Chinese competition

Volkswagen says it may have to close factories and cut jobs due to weak sales and strong competition from China.

An illustration showing how Chinese cars are looking to increase market share in the EU

An illustration showing how Chinese cars are looking to increase market share in the EU

EU divided over higher tariffs for Chinese EV imports

Despite "constructive talks" between the EU and China, the impasse over tariffs on Chinese EVs threatens to escalate.

A workers meeting at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg with workers and management facing it off

A workers meeting at the VW headquarters in Wolfsburg with workers and management facing it off

Volkswagen's crisis: How can Europe's car industry survive?

While Europe's carmakers mull factory closures their Chinese rivals want to set up shop here. What's going wrong?

Berlin considering how to support German carmaker Volkswagen

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Berlin is looking into ways to support ailing carmaker Volkswagen.

An illustration showing the German flag and German car manufacturing moving toward China

An illustration showing the German flag and German car manufacturing moving toward China

What Volkswagen's woes say about Germany's economic future

Job cuts and plant closures at Germany's largest carmaker are a symptom of a wider malaise in Europe's largest economy.

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume

Volkswagen CEO defends job cuts citing economic pressures

Left-wing politicians have pointed out that Volkswagen has paid out billions of euros in dividends.

VW Wolfsburg Proteste

VW Wolfsburg Proteste

VW mulls German job cuts, factory closures as sales plummet

Volkswagen workers have expressed their outrage at a decision to row back job guarantees in Germany.

Workers protest at a meeting of Volkwagen's corporate management

Workers protest at a meeting of Volkwagen's corporate management

Volkswagen clashes with workers over cuts

Angry workers chanted "we are Volkswagen, you are not" as management tried to defend €10 billion in planned cuts.

File photo of Martin Winterkorn

File photo of Martin Winterkorn

Ex-VW boss on trial over 'Dieselgate' scandal

Martin Winterkorn is accused of perjury, market manipulation, and fraud.

The outside facade of the VW components plant in Chemnitz

The outside facade of the VW components plant in Chemnitz

VW's warning on plant closures in Germany causes outcry

VW is being criticized for a cost-cutting plan that for the first time includes plant closures in Germany.

Martin Winterkorn arrives at the Braunschweig Regional Court

Martin Winterkorn arrives at the Braunschweig Regional Court

'Dieselgate' criminal trial starts for ex-VW boss Winterkorn

Martin Winterkorn is accused of perjury, market manipulation, and commercial fraud.

Volkswagen HQ in Wolfsburg, Germany

Volkswagen HQ in Wolfsburg, Germany

Germany: Volkswagen considering plant closures and job cuts

Workers' representatives have vowed to fight the plans, which Volkswagen says are due to a touch economic environment.

Passengers on a train platform waiting to board a train

Passengers on a train platform waiting to board a train

Corporate values: Why do companies bother saying 'sorry'?

Saying "sorry" can be hard. For companies admitting mistakes can be a matter of survival. Sometimes customers want more.

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DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

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DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

DW Rev Sendungslogo deutsch und englisch

The incredible journey of the Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf: one of the most successful cars of all time. We trace its incredible journey.

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A silver Rivian pick-up truck seen from behind at a Plymouth, Michigan, manufacturing facility

A silver Rivian pick-up truck seen from behind at a Plymouth, Michigan, manufacturing facility

Volkswagen invests $5 billion in Rivian joint venture

The German giant will join forces with the US EV-maker to develop software shared by both manufacturers before 2030.

DW Sendung To The Point | Totale

DW Sendung To The Point | Totale

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Germany’s once venerable carmakers face rising competition from Chinese EVs, is Germany losing speed?

A sign outside a Toyota dealership in Tokyo, Japan, on January 30, 2024

A sign outside a Toyota dealership in Tokyo, Japan, on January 30, 2024

Is Japan's car-testing scandal the new Dieselgate?

Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki and Yamaha were found to have submitted incorrect or manipulated test data when certifying cars.

Electric cars for export waiting to be loaded onto a freighter at China's Yantai port

Electric cars for export waiting to be loaded onto a freighter at China's Yantai port

EU-China EV tariffs: German carmakers fear backlash

The EU could soon follow the US and impose duties on Chinese electric cars. German car CEOs fear reprisals from Beijing.