1.000 Jobs betroffen: Kreise: VW-Softwaretochter steht vor weiterem Stellenabbau

VW's software subsidiary Cariad is facing a larger round of job cuts, with approximately 1,000 positions set to be eliminated. This news was reported by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur through industry sources. The affected workforce represents nearly a quarter of the remaining 4,300 Cariad employees. Initially, the "Handelsblatt" had reported on this development.

The specifics regarding the timeline and method of downsizing have not been disclosed yet. Negotiations with worker representatives are now underway to discuss the changes. Collective bargaining agreements have been terminated as part of these measures. A Cariad spokesperson declined to comment on the matter. According to the "Handelsblatt," the company plans to inform employees about the job cuts during a company meeting on Wednesday.

The rationale behind this downsizing is to maintain competitiveness against external software providers. The company aims to cut its investment by approximately €6.1 billion between 2027 and 2031. Additionally, it intends to contribute €400 million towards improving the group's operational results in the upcoming decade. The management's strategy plan, aimed at making the group more profitable by 2030, involves significant cuts in development budgets and the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs.

The software solutions from Cariad are used across the entire VW group. Initially, the subsidiary was intended to develop most of the software internally. However, due to issues with major projects that delayed the launch of certain models, the carmaker replaced the Cariad leadership in 2023 and changed its approach. Unlike its predecessor Herbert Diess, VW CEO Oliver Blume now emphasizes cooperation with external partners such as Xpeng in China and Rivian in the USA.

Cariad is now focusing on the development of key technologies, including driving dynamics software, cloud applications, and infotainment systems. This is not the first time Cariad has undergone a downsizing; it had previously reduced its workforce multiple times, including a socially acceptable reduction through severance and early retirement programs. As of 2029, the last round of business-related dismissals had not taken place.