WOLFSBURG, GERMANY / RankWire.AI / – Volkswagen is evaluating the elimination of up to 50,000 additional roles across its worldwide operations. The total potential reduction could reach 100,000, including those already agreed upon in Germany. CEO Oliver Blume informed staff that current estimates indicate another 50,000 positions could be eliminated within the group. Volkswagen has not yet approved a second wave of layoffs nor provided a regional breakdown. The timeline for these additional cuts remains undecided.
The current German plan involves about 50,000 job reductions at Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and software subsidiary CARIAD by 2030. Of these, Volkswagen AG accounts for 35,000 positions. Binding agreements already cover over 28,000 exits through the decade’s end. The company has relied on voluntary retirements, partial retirements, and negotiated measures. These arrangements spread the layoffs over several years across different brands and divisions.
By the end of 2025, Volkswagen’s global workforce totaled 662,942 employees, including staff at Chinese joint ventures. Germany employed 284,032 workers, while 378,910 were based elsewhere. The total headcount was 2.4% below the 2024 figure. Active employees numbered 628,893, with others in partial retirement or vocational training. Volkswagen has not disclosed which specific countries, plants, brands, or job categories will be affected by the additional reductions under review.
Current agreements cover half of the potential layoffs
This workforce review is part of a broader strategy presented to the supervisory board on July 9. The executive leadership 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 company also set a goal of around 9 million vehicles per year in cross-brand production capacity. Before the pandemic, Volkswagen invested in capacity for roughly 12 million vehicles and has since scaled back by 2 million.
The strategy also encompasses technology platforms, software, factory efficiency, regional operations, investments, and management structures. Volkswagen stated that digital tools, artificial intelligence, and shared services will enhance productivity in development and administrative areas. The public presentation did not specify job numbers for each initiative, nor did it provide a final list of locations or a timeline for the additional layoffs. CFO Arno Antlitz mentioned that current programs no longer generate sufficient cost savings.
Global vehicle deliveries decline in first half of 2026
Previous workforce and bargaining measures resulted in approximately 1 billion euros in sustainable cost savings during 2025. Volkswagen aims for over 6 billion euros in annual net savings by 2030, including reductions in production capacity. Factory costs at German sites decreased by more than 20% on average in 2025. These figures relate to measures already in progress, not a fully approved second global job-cut initiative. IG Metall has opposed forced layoffs and factory closures.
In the first half of 2026, Volkswagen’s worldwide vehicle deliveries totaled 4.13 million, reflecting a 6% decline compared to the previous year. Deliveries dropped 26% in China and 3.1% in North America. Conversely, Western Europe saw a 3% growth, and South America increased by 8%. Battery electric vehicle deliveries reached 438,500, down 6%, although electric vehicle sales in Europe grew by 8%. The existing agreements account for roughly 50,000 layoffs, while Volkswagen continues to review an additional 50,000 jobs without a finalized plan for implementation.