Volkswagen Approves Additional 50,000 Job Cuts in Major Restructuring

The board of directors at Volkswagen has sanctioned a plan to eliminate an additional 50,000 positions, escalating the German automaker’s ongoing restructuring efforts. This decision pushes the total number of roles to be cut by 2030 to 100,000.

Oliver Blume, Volkswagen’s chief executive, described the move as a “strong signal” regarding the company’s future, emphasizing that the group is assuming responsibility for its entire workforce. He had previously indicated in July that further reductions were anticipated.

The decision comes as Volkswagen contends with shrinking profit margins driven by declining sales and intense market rivalry, particularly from Chinese manufacturers. A corporate statement noted that a “fundamental adjustment of the global workforce capability is necessary” to maintain competitiveness amid evolving technological landscapes and shifting consumer demand.

The announcement includes cuts across management roles within the group, which encompasses Audi, Porsche, and Skoda. As of 2025, the automaker employed more than 660,000 people worldwide.