Volkswagen employees allowed to question CEO Oliver Blume after memo informing of 100,000 layoffs and closure of four German plants; Union says: We will host extraordinary staff assemblies to …
German car maker Volkswagen is reportedly planning to cut 100,000 jobs and close four of its manufacturing plants in the country, per a CNBC report last month. Now, Reuters reports that Volkswagen employees will get the chance to directly question and “grill” CEO Oliver Blume. According to the news agency, Volkswagen’s works council said it will hold extraordinary staff assemblies in August, where workers can ask Blume about the company’s plans. Olver Blume will attend meetings with employees at the company’s headquarters in Wolfsburg on August 25, followed by meetings at the Emden and Zwickau plants on August 26, the report stated.
Volkswagen to hold staff meetings with CEO Oliver Blume
The meetings come weeks after reports emerged that the German automaker was considering its biggest overhaul in nearly nine decades to cut costs and remain competitive. The works council said the meetings will give employees an opportunity to question the CEO about the company’s restructuring plans.Reuters reported that Emden and Zwickau are among the four plants that could close in the coming years if no alternative solution is found.
Up to 140,000 Volkswagen jobs at risk
According to Reuters, Volkswagen could cut another 50,000 jobs on top of the 50,000 job reductions already planned as part of its effort to lower costs. The works council also said the possible closure of four German plants after 2030 could put another 40,000 jobs at risk, taking the total number of threatened jobs to around 140,000.A Volkswagen spokesperson told Reuters there are currently no agreements on those figures and declined to comment further.Earlier reports by Manager Magazin, cited by CNBC, said Volkswagen was considering cutting 100,000 jobs, or about 15% of its global workforce, while shutting down four manufacturing plants in Germany. Reuters had also reported that Blume presented the restructuring plans to senior executives.
Chinese EV competition and tariffs drive Volkswagen restructuring
Volkswagen is under pressure to improve its performance as it faces growing competition from Chinese electric vehicle makers and U.S. tariffs, Reuters reported.The company has steadily lost market share in China, where local EV manufacturers have expanded rapidly. Reuters, citing AlixPartners data, reported that non-Chinese automakers’ market share in China fell to 32% in 2025, down from 57% in 2020.Chinese automakers such as BYD, Chery, SAIC and Leapmotor have also expanded quickly in Europe, increasing pressure on Volkswagen in its home market. A Volkswagen spokesperson previously said the entire group “must undergo profound change” as it responds to changing market conditions and rising competition.
