Volkswagen Eyes Cost-Cutting Measures
Volkswagen's supervisory board will convene Tuesday to discuss a proposed cost-cutting initiative ahead of investor meeting.

Board will consider optimizing German plants and reducing duplicate development work.
Karen Radley Volkswagen
According to two sources close to the company, Volkswagen's supervisory board will convene on Tuesday to discuss a proposed cost-cutting initiative ahead of its capital markets day on June 21.
One source told Reuters the board will meet to discuss cost-cutting measures, which will amount to a minimum of $3.22 billion across various brands like Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, and Cupra.
German business newspaper, Handelsblatt, reports CEO Oliver Blume wants to optimize German plants and reduce duplicate development work, particularly at Audi and Volkswagen, as part of the savings program.
“The focus of the Capital Markets Day is on the power of the brands and the Group management model,” a Volkswagen spokesperson said in an emailed statement to Reuters. The source did not give further detail, according to Reuters.
In May, Arno Antlitz, the finance chief of Volkswagen, told Reuters the company would give investors an update on financial targets and capital allocation plans during the June capital markets day.
In May, Volkswagen brand chief Thomas Schaefer revealed in an internal memo that the brand set a goal of a 6.5% return on sales, up from the 3% achieved in Q1 of this year.
“Pressure is mounting. The Volkswagen brand must act,” he wrote in this memo.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →