Internal reports suggest that Volkswagen is bracing for a significantly harsher crisis scenario than has been publicly disclosed. According to the newspaper Handelsblatt, if the corporation only manages to sell around eight million vehicles by 2030, VW would need to boost its operating profit by over €40 billion. This figure represents roughly one-third more than the improvements currently outlined in the existing savings plan, with one insider suggesting a potential necessary increase as high as €42 billion.
Although a board resolution mentioned this “risk sensitivity” corresponding to eight million units and declining prices, it did not detail the specific financial consequences. Previously, VW had been operating under a plan that aimed for nine million vehicles and a target margin of nine percent. As of mid-August, internal planning had only accounted for €15.4 billion of the necessary profit improvement, backed by concrete measures. Volkswagen declined to comment on the internal scenarios and figures.
