Business · Trade · 6 hrs ago
VW chief calls for European unity as sales fall, especially in China
Volkswagen chief executive Oliver Blume says European businesses and governments need to work together to make the region’s industry more competitive.
He spoke before the Paris motor show and backed EU plans to support European carmakers against Chinese competition.
The call comes as Volkswagen faces falling sales: it sold 1.89 million vehicles worldwide from July to September, 14% fewer than a year earlier.
The steepest decline was in China, where sales fell 39% in the quarter as local rivals gained ground.
Volkswagen has also approved a plan that includes cutting 50,000 jobs.
The company says demand for electric cars helped lift sales in parts of Europe and South America, but the sources say Chinese rivals may expand exports to Europe in coming years.
Volkswagen chief Oliver Blume called for European governments and businesses to work together to strengthen the region’s industry and respond to Chinese competition.
The company sold 1.89 million vehicles worldwide from July to September, down 14 percent from the same period a year earlier.
Sales in China fell 39 percent over the quarter and 30 percent from the start of the year compared with 2025.
Blume supported the European Commission’s “Made in Europe” plans, saying companies selling in Europe should compete on comparable terms and create jobs and value there.
Volkswagen’s September cost-saving plan includes cutting a further 50,000 jobs.
- Who
- Volkswagen chief Oliver Blume called for European unity.
- What
- He urged business and politics to work together to strengthen European industry and respond to Chinese competition as Volkswagen sales fell.
- When
- Blume spoke on the Sunday before the Paris Motor Show. The sales figures were released on Monday.
- Where
- At an event ahead of the Paris Motor Show; the sales declines included China.
- Why
- Volkswagen is losing market share, particularly to Chinese competitors, and Blume said Europe needs stronger competitiveness and suitable policy conditions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Volkswagen’s supervisory board approved Blume’s plan, which includes a savings programme and a further 50,000 job cuts.
Blume called for European unity at an event on the eve of the Paris Motor Show.
Volkswagen released third-quarter sales figures showing 1.89 million vehicles sold worldwide, down 14 percent year on year.
- Worldwide sales, July–September
- 1.89 million vehicles
- Worldwide sales change, July–September
- Down 14 percent year on year
- China sales change, past three months
- Down 39 percent year on year
- China sales change, since start of year
- Down 30 percent compared with 2025
- Planned further job cuts
- 50,000
What people are saying
The economy must become more competitive and create attractive offers, while politics must set the right conditions.
Whoever wants to sell here should compete under comparable conditions and also create jobs and value in Europe.
Sources
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