WOLFSBURG, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – Volkswagen is evaluating the possibility of cutting up to 50,000 additional jobs across its worldwide operations. The total potential reduction, including previously agreed cuts in Germany, could reach 100,000 positions. CEO Oliver Blume told employees that current estimates indicate another 50,000 roles could be eliminated throughout the group. Volkswagen has not yet approved a second phase of reductions nor provided a regional breakdown. The company also has not announced a definitive schedule for implementing these additional layoffs.
The existing German restructuring plan involves approximately 50,000 jobs at Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and the software subsidiary CARIAD by the year 2030. Volkswagen AG is responsible for 35,000 of these positions. Binding agreements already cover more than 28,000 departures through the end of the decade. The company has relied on voluntary exits, partial retirements, and other negotiated measures. These agreements distribute the reductions over several years, affecting various brands and business units.
As of the end of 2025, Volkswagen employed a total of 662,942 people worldwide, including staff at Chinese joint ventures. In Germany, there were 284,032 employees, while 378,910 worked abroad. The overall workforce was 2.4% below the 2024 figure. 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 reductions under review.
Existing agreements account for half of potential layoffs
This workforce review coincides with a broader strategic plan presented to the supervisory board on July 9. The executive board outlined 12 initiatives and a target organizational 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, down from the pre-pandemic capacity of around 12 million, which has already been reduced by 2 million.
The plan additionally includes technology platforms, software development, factory efficiencies, regional operations, investments, and management structures. Volkswagen indicated that digital tools, artificial intelligence, and shared services will enhance productivity in both development and administrative functions. The presentation did not specify the number of jobs affected by each initiative, nor did it include a final list of locations or a timeline for the additional layoffs. CFO Arno Antlitz stated that current programs no longer generate sufficient cost savings.
First-half decline in global vehicle deliveries
Previous workforce and bargaining measures delivered approximately 1 billion euros in sustainable cost savings during 2025. Volkswagen aims to achieve over 6 billion euros in annual net savings by 2030, which includes the approved reductions in production capacity. Factory costs at its German plants decreased by more than 20% on average in 2025. These figures relate to measures already in progress, not a fully sanctioned second global job-cut plan. IG Metall has opposed mandatory layoffs and factory closures.
During the first half of 2026, Volkswagen delivered 4.13 million vehicles worldwide, a 6% decrease compared to the same period in the previous year. Deliveries declined 26% in China and 3.1% in North America. Conversely, Western Europe saw a 3% growth, and South America experienced an 8% increase. Electric vehicle deliveries totaled 438,500 units, down 6%, although European electric vehicle deliveries grew by 8%. The existing agreements cover about 50,000 layoffs, while Volkswagen continues to review an additional 50,000 roles without a final plan for implementation.