Volkswagen is preparing to eliminate up to 100,000 jobs globally and shutter four of its German production plants, according to reports citing confidential documents.
The scale of the proposed restructuring marks a significant escalation from the company's previously announced reduction targets, which stood at roughly half that figure.
Senior executives are reportedly drawing up plans for this drastic overhaul to address challenging market conditions and structural inefficiencies within the group.
The move underscores the mounting pressure on traditional European automakers to adapt to a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
With the transition to electric vehicles requiring massive capital investment and competitive margins under threat from low-cost rivals, Volkswagen appears to be prioritizing cost discipline over volume growth.
The decision to close four domestic plants highlights the severity of the operational changes required to maintain profitability.