WOLFSBURG, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – Volkswagen is evaluating the possibility of cutting up to 50,000 additional jobs across its worldwide operations. The total potential number, including layoffs already agreed upon in Germany, could reach 100,000. Chief Executive Oliver Blume informed staff that current estimates indicate another 50,000 roles could be eliminated across the company. Volkswagen has not approved a second phase nor provided a regional breakdown, nor has it announced a definitive schedule for these further reductions.
The existing German plan targets approximately 50,000 job losses at Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and the software subsidiary CARIAD by 2030. Of these, Volkswagen AG accounts for 35,000 positions. Binding agreements already cover more than 28,000 departures through the end of this decade, relying on voluntary exits, partial retirements, and negotiated measures. These agreements distribute the reductions over several years, different brands, and business units.
At the end of 2025, Volkswagen had a global workforce of 662,942 employees, including staff at Chinese joint ventures. In Germany, there were 284,032 employees, while 378,910 worked outside the country. The total workforce was 2.4% below the 2024 level. Active employees numbered 628,893, with others in partial retirement or vocational training. Volkswagen has not specified which countries, plants, brands, or job categories will be impacted by the additional cuts under review.
Existing agreements account for half of potential layoffs
This workforce review accompanies a broader strategy presented to the supervisory board on July 9. The executive board outlined 12 initiatives and a target structure for 2030. Volkswagen aims to reduce its model lineup by up to 50% and cut equipment options by as much as 75%. The group also set a target to produce about 9 million vehicles annually across brands, down from the pre-pandemic capacity of roughly 12 million, which has been reduced by 2 million since then.
The plan also involves technology platforms, software, manufacturing efficiency, regional operations, investments, and management structures. Volkswagen states that digital tools, artificial intelligence, and shared services will enhance productivity in both development and administrative functions. The announcement did not specify job numbers for each initiative, nor did it include a final list of locations or a timetable for the additional layoffs. CFO Arno Antlitz noted that current programs are insufficient to achieve the desired cost savings.
Vehicle deliveries decrease in first half of 2026
Previous workforce adjustments and bargaining measures yielded approximately 1 billion euros in sustainable cost savings in 2025. Volkswagen aims for over 6 billion euros in annual net savings by 2030, which includes the already agreed production capacity reductions. Factory costs at German sites declined by more than 20% on average in 2025. These figures relate to ongoing measures, not a fully approved second global job-cut plan. IG Metall has opposed compulsory layoffs and factory closures.
In the first half of 2026, Volkswagen delivered 4.13 million vehicles worldwide, a 6% decrease from the previous year. Deliveries in China dropped 26%, and in North America by 3.1%. Conversely, Western Europe experienced 3% growth, and South America increased by 8%. Electric vehicle deliveries totaled 438,500 units, down 6%, though European EV deliveries grew by 8%. Existing agreements cover about 50,000 layoffs, while Volkswagen continues reviewing an additional 50,000 roles without a final plan in place.