Volkswagen Boss Seeks Help From The European Union

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has asked European politicians to help Europe’s largest carmaker survive the difficult changes it is going through. As reported by Reuters, Blume said this in Paris at the meeting “For Europe”, on the eve of the auto show.

Blume called the restructuring of the company “the largest transformation program in our history” and added that it is a “shared responsibility”. According to him, the company must become more competitive, and politicians must create the conditions in which this can be achieved.

Volkswagen is currently reducing the number of workers and threatening to close up to four factories in Germany. The aim is to simplify the group’s operations, from Volkswagen as a mass-market brand to Porsche and Lamborghini.

The biggest pressure comes from China. Brands like BYD and Leapmotor are rapidly conquering the European market with cheaper electric cars. That’s why Volkswagen is in a hurry with more affordable electric models.

At the fair in Paris, they will show cheaper electric cars from Volkswagen, Cupra and Skoda, and the electric SUV ID will also have its premiere. Tiguan.

Thomas Šefer, the head of the Volkswagen brand, also spoke about this strategy for Klix.ba in September. He said the models are ID. Polo and ID. Cross designed to make it easier for customers to make the decision to switch to electric cars.

Blume welcomed the agreement between the European Union and China that could cut imports of Chinese plug-in hybrids into Europe by more than half. He called it an “important step” towards more equal market competition.

Gregor Williams from the research house Rhodium Group believes that the concern is justified. He warned that the European market could become “very unprofitable” if China transferred its price war to it.

Volkswagen has been the best-selling car manufacturer in Europe for the past ten years, with a market share of about a quarter.

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