Volkswagen is assessing the closure of four factories in Germany and cuts of as many as 100,000 jobs, in what would amount to the “biggest” restructuring in the global automotive industry.
Reuters, citing unnamed sources, said members of the supervisory board had been briefed on the proposals ahead of a formal discussion scheduled for 9 July.
The sites under review are in Hanover, Zwickau, Emden and Audi's plant in Neckarsulm.
Together, those locations employ more than 45,000 workers.
The potential reductions would add to 50,000 job cuts already planned, taking the overall total to as many as 100,000.
That figure would be larger than General Motors' restructuring during its 2009 bankruptcy, when the US carmaker cut up to 74,000 jobs and closed or suspended 21 sites over four years.
Chief executive Oliver Blume presented the proposals to senior management last week.
Manager Magazin first reported the plans.
In its report, Manager Magazin said the group is also considering a cut of about 15% in capital expenditure, taking it to just over €130bn ($148.30bn) across five years.
The publication also reported that Blume and chief financial officer Arno Antlitz are examining a spin-off of the core VW brand and parts operations into standalone businesses.
A company spokesperson declined to comment to Reuters on “confidential documents” and said: “The entire group, including its brands and subsidiaries, must undergo far-reaching change”.
Labour representatives reacted quickly, according to the report.
Works council members and trade union IG Metall said in a joint statement: “Should such plans go ahead, we would do everything in our power to prevent them”.
According to the report, the premier of Lower Saxony, Volkswagen's second-largest shareholder, also indicated opposition.
The proposals follow continued competitive pressure.
Volkswagen, which had been the leading foreign brand in China, was passed by BYD in 2024 and moved into third place the next year.
An earlier effort by Blume in 2024 to close German plants led to industrial action and a lengthy dispute with IG Metall before Volkswagen withdrew the plan.
Volkswagen had 667,164 employees worldwide in its 2025 financial year, with nearly 43% of them in Germany.
