Volkswagen reportedly considering closure of factories in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history as it fights competition from China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers.
    • loathesome dongeaterAEnglish
      9·
      15 days ago

      I would say that is largely irrelevant. Chinese EVs are so much cheaper there is no way Western producers can compete with them barring tariffs. In a level playing field Chinese companies will completely push out the Western ones in low- and mid-range market. For luxury vehicles maybe the brand recognition can save them but in a tight economy cheaper cars will attract a lot of attention.

      • gnutrino@programming.devEnglish
        8·
        14 days ago

        If only they’d had years to see this coming and multiple people warning them that their EV offerings were absurdly overpriced compared to what China and Tesla were capable of producing…

      • HumanPenguin@feddit.ukEnglish
        6·
        14 days ago

        Yep tuis is the history of cars.

        The UK was the leader in the 50s. Changed to US cars in the 70s. Due to better (more reliable) byild quality and cheaper build standards. Then to japan again more reliable and cheaper.

        China is on cheaper and reliability is catching up. Given priority changes and tech changes. Its ti be wxpected.

    • Hannes@feddit.org
      82·
      14 days ago

      You mean the one pretty much every manufacturer did that just got associated with Volkswagen since they were the first to get caught?

      • WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        14 days ago

        You mean the one where no CEO’s, or any senior leadership, faced criminal prosecution for their coordinated, premeditated, systematic fraud? I member!

  • zante@lemmy.wtfEnglish
    11·
    15 days ago

    VW have been putting billions in China in various investments and joint ventures

    • filister@lemmy.world
      171·
      15 days ago

      https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volkswagens-cupra-at-risk-planned-eu-tariffs-says-brand-ceo-2024-09-03/

      But seriously, they do everything but build compelling and affordable cars.

      During COVID they realised they can build only SUVs and sell them for inflated prices and that would be even more lucrative than selling cheaper more affordable and sustainable cars, and now they are surprised why people are not buying their cars.

      Mystery, right? /s

    • loathesome dongeaterAEnglish
      7·
      15 days ago

      as well as their own operations in China

      This is the reason. It is not because of their interest in fairness or free market (there is none), but because China is both critical to their production process and a massive market that cannot be ignored. If China retaliates their execs won’t be able to buy their tenth yacht.