Volkswagen: VW boss: Reductions correspond to the capacity of two to three plants

According to VW boss Oliver Blume, Volkswagen’s savings plans correspond to a reduction in production capacity by several plants. “There was no way around adjusting capacity. It would have been achievable using various means. The solution now agreed upon by reducing capacity at various locations corresponds to the production volume of two to three large plants,” Blume told the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.

In the negotiations with IG Metall, factory closures had previously been discussed – according to the compromise, these will not happen for the time being. However, serious changes are coming to various locations. In the future, Volkswagen wants to get by with a good 35,000 fewer employees and produce over 700,000 fewer cars per year.

Blume vows his company to pursue a long-term austerity course – but would also like support from politicians: “Germany needs a departure – away from the hard shoulder and back into the fast lane,” he told the “FAZ”. “For example, what is important is: lower taxes, reduction of bureaucratic hurdles, affordable energy, security in funding commitments.”