Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has asked the European Union to create the conditions for the German carmaker’s restructuring plan to succeed, as competition from Chinese automakers in Europe intensifies.
Blume made the appeal on Sunday, according to Reuters. He warned that the pressure Chinese manufacturers are putting on Europe’s auto industry is growing, and he urged European authorities to support the framework the group needs for its transformation and to take into account the challenges facing traditional carmakers.
What stands out is the directness of the request. Volkswagen’s leadership has now addressed the EU openly while the group prepares its overhaul and the European market for vehicles becomes more crowded and competitive. Blume gave few specifics, however. In the statement cited by Reuters, he did not say what concrete measures European institutions should take, nor did he provide a timeline for the restructuring.
The appeal reflects a wider concern among established European manufacturers, who face a market where Chinese brands are gaining ground. How Brussels responds, and what Volkswagen’s restructuring will ultimately involve, remain open questions.