68,000 workers walked out of nine Volkswagen factory plants, union negotiations, declining demand, and stiff competition from Asian automakers have the recently top dog of car manufacturing, one the ropes

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest carmaker, is caught in a storm of escalating labor disputes, cost-cutting measures, and competitive pressures that threaten its position in the global automotive market.

Workers are pushing back against Volkswagen’s proposals for wage cuts and potential plant closures, which the automaker deems necessary to address declining demand in Europe and rising competition from low-cost Asian rivals.

Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has defended the company’s cost-cutting measures, arguing that they are essential for adapting to industry changes. VW management cannot operate in a “fantasy world," Blume said, emphasizing the need to reduce overcapacity and high operating costs in Germany.

https://www.autoblog.com/news/volkswagen-grapples-with-crisis-as-68000-workers-walk-out