VW Warns Up to 140,000 Jobs Could Be Cut in Sweeping Overhaul

Volkswagen is bracing for its most aggressive cost-cutting push in decades, with CEO Oliver Blume now warning that as many as 140,000 positions could disappear across the automaker. In an internal memo to staff earlier this month, Blume confirmed that after already committing to 50,000 job cuts, the company is now weighing another 50,000 reductions.

That figure could climb further as planned factory closures after 2030 threaten an additional 40,000 roles.

The warning comes as VW struggles with a 20 percent cost disadvantage against rivals, a gap Blume says is unsustainable. Several popular models are also on the chopping block, including the VW Polo, Skoda Fabia and Kamiq. Audi Q5 Sportback, and select Porsches like the Taycan, Panamera, and Cayenne Coupe.

Reuters reports the group may slash its model lineup by half to save money.

Blume’s memo painted a grim picture for four key German plants. “As of today, we still cannot confirm competitive use cases for the plants of Emden, Hanover, Zwickau and Neckarsulm in the 2030s,” he wrote, adding that details remain fluid and more meetings are needed. Those talks kick off next month, starting August 25 at VW’s Wolfsburg headquarters, followed by sessions with workers in Emden and Zwickau.

For now, the message is clear: VW is preparing for a future with far fewer cars, and far fewer people building them.