Autobauer: VW-Chef Blume beschwört Zusammenhalt – „Alle müssen mitziehen“

Wolfsburg, Germany – Volkswagen's CEO, Oliver Blume, has called for unity among the workforce amid a global industry crisis. In an interview with "Bild am Sonntag," Blume emphasized the critical importance of the upcoming weeks, stating that "all must pull together."

Volkswagen has unveiled its largest transformation plan to date, aiming to navigate the challenges ahead. A series of extraordinary plant meetings will take place next week, with workers demanding details on the cost-cutting measures well before the summer break. A total of nine plant meetings are scheduled by the end of August, with sites including Hannover, Braunschweig, Salzgitter, Dresden, Chemnitz, and Kassel-Baunatal. The proceedings will feature the management answering for their decisions.

Blume will commence his tour in Wolfsburg on August 25th, followed by Emden and Zwickau the following day, concluding with Hannover on August 31st. He personally will visit Emden and Zwickau as well. Blume highlighted the pivotal nature of the coming years, noting that "who survives the race and who takes the lead will be decided."

The CEO attributed the substantial cost-cutting measures to a fundamental shift in the market and global disruptions. "The worldwide automotive industry is in a mega-crisis. And Volkswagen is right in the middle of it. Geopolitics, trade barriers, regulation, weak markets, and massive competition are all at play." Blume urged the workforce to embrace the challenge, stating, "For the people, our company, and the competitiveness of our location in Germany."