Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the group is willing to share the excess capacity of its European plants with Chinese partners. The measure aims to avoid closures amid falling demand in Europe, which dropped from 12 million vehicles annually before the pandemic to the current 9 million. This is the first time the largest German manufacturer has publicly acknowledged this option.
Shared technology to keep lines active 🔧
The strategy involves ceding space on idle production lines to Chinese manufacturers, who would contribute their own electric platforms and batteries. Volkswagen would maintain logistical and labor control but would integrate third-party assembly processes. This allows fixed costs to be diluted without investing in new plants, although it represents a cultural shift for a company accustomed to developing everything internally. Flexibility will be key to adapting to current volumes.
Germany discovers that sharing the desk isn't so bad after all 😅
After years of boasting about Germanic engineering, Volkswagen is inviting its Chinese rivals to use its factories. It's like Messi lending his boots to the opposing team's goalkeeper. The idea is brilliant: if you can't sell your cars, let others build them. Who knows, maybe soon we'll see an ID.3 with Brand Your Partner emblems. At least the assembly lines will stop gathering dust.