Volkswagen is considering further partnerships with rival car makers, VW Brand Group chief Wolfgang Bernhard said.
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Noting that Volkswagen recently announced a partnership with Chrysler Group to build a VW van for the North American market [VW will also supply diesel engines for the European versions of the Dodge Caliber], Reuters said Volkswagen designers were already working on 20 new models while Bernhard said the company was examining further co-operations to speed up the pace of new product launches.
“When it comes to a product offensive you are trying to take all the opportunities that are offered to you, so we are investigating all kinds of opportunities, absolutely,” he told the news agency.
VW’s new personnel chief, Horst Neumann, told Reuters that the company had no choice but to take aggressive restructuring measures – possibly putting 20,000 jobs at risk – that might prompt unionised VW staff in Germany to vote in hardliners to its powerful works council during elections in March who could try to block the moves.
“The works council election played no role (in the timing of the announcement). We have to seriously get down to talks with one another. We have no time to lose,” Neumann reportedly said.
