Volkswagen reconsiders revamping the MEB

Referring to its own research, Manager Magazin reports that Volkswagen is considering cutting investments by around 20 billion euros in its next medium-term planning. Specifically, the next five-year investment budget in autumn will be reduced from 180 billion to 160 billion euros. The German business magazine also lists the main areas where savings are to be made: development and administration will be affected.

Among the projects apparently being scrutinised is updating the MEB electric modular system. Wolfsburg wanted to develop the current MEB into the MEB+ to keep the electric model range fresh until the launch of the SSP platform, which is already delayed. According to previous statements, the first MEB+ models were supposed to hit the road in 2026.

Now things could turn out differently: According to Manager Magazin, Antlitz prefers that the first SSP vehicles arrive directly “some time from 2028” – with a delay of at least three years. The small electric SUV in the style of the T-Roc, which was supposed to roll off the production line in Wolfsburg, will also be shelved.

According to the report, Volkswagen could cut up to 30,000 jobs in Germany in the medium term. There are likely to be severe cuts in research and development in particular. According to Manager Magazin, 4,000 to 6,000 of the approximately 13,000 employees in Germany would be made redundant.

However, the car manufacturer immediately denied any concrete figures. A spokeswoman for Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg initially said: “One thing is clear: Volkswagen must reduce its costs at its German sites.” It is the only way the brand can earn enough money to invest in the future. “How we achieve this goal together with the employee representatives is part of the upcoming talks.” She did not confirm that some 30,000 jobs could be cut. The General Works Council referred to the figure of 30,000 as “nonsense.”

manager-magazin.de, handelsblatt.com (both in German)