«Gemeinsame Aufgabe»: Der VW-Chef beschwört den Zusammenhalt zur Rettung der europäischen Industrie

Volkswagen's Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Blume, urged for European unity and competitiveness to counteract the threat of Chinese competition, emphasizing that Volkswagen's fate mirrors the future of Europe itself. At a gathering prior to the Paris Auto Salon, Blume spoke of a "common task" that Europeans were facing: making the economy more competitive and creating attractive offers, while the political sector set the right framework conditions.

Blume highlighted that Europe possesses a strong substance, including a broad industrial base, high innovation capacity, and highly skilled and motivated people. He stressed that what matters is how these resources are utilized. Volkswagen aims to contribute to the future of European industry through investments, transnational production networks, scalable technologies, and attractive vehicles.

Blume also endorsed the EU Commission's "Made in Europe" plans, which seek to protect domestic car manufacturers from Chinese competition.

However, Blume's words are grounded in the harsh realities of Volkswagen's financial situation. While the company's home market still boasts relatively good auto sales, Volkswagen is losing market share rapidly in other regions due to intense competition from Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Xpeng. In the first three quarters of 2025, Volkswagen sold 1.89 million vehicles globally, a 14% decline compared to the same period in 2024.

The company's sales grew in Western, Central, and Eastern Europe, as well as in South America, where increased demand for electric vehicles accounted for 40% of the total order book. In contrast, North America saw a 4% sales decline, largely attributed to tariffs and discontinued government subsidies for electric vehicles in the United States.

The most significant challenge remains China, which was once a major market for Volkswagen. China now accounts for a 30% drop in sales compared to the same period last year, with Volkswagen selling 39% fewer vehicles than in the same quarter of 2024. Within Volkswagen's brands, Skoda is showing the most growth, with a 6% increase in sales compared to 2024.

However, Volkswagen and Audi are experiencing a decline of 14% and 11%, respectively. The situation is particularly concerning for Volkswagen, which is facing a challenging future, with plans to implement a comprehensive cost-cutting program and potentially close as many as 50,000 jobs. The future of Volkswagen, a symbol of German industrial success, now hangs in the balance.