[opinion] - hmmm…VW/Audi/Porsche _IS_ in trouble… [⚠️ ADMIN WARNING: NO INSULTING / POLITICALLY CHARGED POSTING]

[daveo4EV]

Porsche's Cost-Cutting To Claim Another 5,000 Jobs: Report

Porsche appoints new production chief, reportedly puts more EV projects on hold

Meanwhile, Der Spiegel reports that Michael Leiters, who became Porsche CEO on 1 January 2026, has asked for time until early October to finalise the company’s strategy. According to the report, however, the direction is already becoming clear: Porsche intends to refocus on its roots as a “sports car manufacturer” and define the brand more through exclusive combustion-engine models than through electric vehicles, as it did under former CEO Oliver Blume.

Former CEO Oliver Blume had already postponed the large electric SUV, internally known as the K1, until the 2030s. According to Der Spiegel, Michael Leiters has now also delayed a second project—an all-electric version of the Panamera—”well into the next decade”. The report further states that Porsche is distancing itself from Volkswagen’s software partnership with US electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian.

Overall, the report suggests that Porsche is shifting its focus back towards its traditional strengths. “It feels like we’ve turned back the clock ten years,” Der Spiegel quotes a frustrated developer as saying.

the new CEO of Blockbuster today (Backwardeo Illogico the III) briefed investors and the board today about how Blockbuster is returning to it's "strengths" and going to begin stocking fewer VHS tapes to drive scarcity demand and allow customers to have that nostalgic feeling of rewinding the tape after watching the movie in 240p resolution…We believe the internet will never have the bandwidth for high quality VHS video and it was foolish of us to fund a streaming arm of our core business model. In the mean time we plan to close 40% of our retail locations in order to rein in costs and focus on profitability in the stores with the most loyal VHS customers…

Sponsored

 

[Tooney]

the new CEO of Blockbuster today (Backwardeo Illogico the III) briefed investors and the board today about how Blockbuster is returning to it's "strengths" and going to begin stocking fewer VHS tapes to drive scarcity demand and allow customers to have that nostalgic feeling of rewinding the tape after watching the movie in 240p resolution…We believe the internet will never have the bandwidth for high quality VHS video and it was foolish of us to fund a streaming arm of our core business model. In the mean time we plan to close 40% of our retail locations in order to rein in costs and focus on profitability in the stores with the most loyal VHS customers…

you and I agree on Porsche's core problems - EV's are an existential threat to Porsche _IF_ they had to compete - they are choosing not to complete and focus on ICE vehicle's where they have the ability to defend their margins…there is a massive technical moat for any ICE vendor to encroach on Porsche's territory and even if they did they wouldn't be undercutting Porsche on pricing IMHO…

but in EV-land things are different there is virtually _NOTHING_ preventing anyone from completing with Porsche and in many ways their are better than porsche (software for just one example) and cheaper…

Porsche's published strategy seems to be a return and increase on complex mechanical products that they can charge a premium for to people willing to have that type of product - it wil be high margin and decreasing volume, but there will be no competition or pricing pressure…this is not the case with EV's going forward.

You summarized the situation well in your earlier post.

 

[daveo4EV]

You summarized the situation well in your earlier post.

I'm just so sad …

 

[tigerbalm]

According to Der Spiegel, Michael Leiters has now also delayed a second project—an all-electric version of the Panamera—”well into the next decade”.

I am a little surprised by this because I always assumed this was a BEV Audi A8 that was being driven by Audi with Porsche doing some badge engineering.

The report further states that Porsche is distancing itself from Volkswagen’s software partnership with US electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian.

Not surprised to hear this – I don't think Porsche was ever too on-board with the Rivian thing. Maybe the current revised PCM will last a decade instead of being a transition thing between the QNX based PCM and a Rivian defined one. I think this is actually good news for Porsche, they don't need more PCM/software chaos and complexity.

 

[Fun TC Driving]

AutomotiveNews just reported that customers’ dealer atttitude survey rated Porsche lower than last year. As I won’to pay $275 annually for access to that source, and already reached their free period, anyone have specifics on what it says please?

https://www.autonews.com/retail/an-...mail&utm_campaign=Newsletter-ANDaily-20260724

 

[Tooney]

Volkswagen Group stays on track in challenging environment and expects improved margin in the second half of the year VW press release

Volkswagen CFO addresses plant closures, job losses as profits sink

 

[Tooney]

 

[Tooney]

VW Action Committee announces intensive campaign

 

[Tooney]

Volkswagen Is Quietly Giving Up Control In The World’s Hottest Car Market - India

 

[Tooney]

Executive Board and General Works Council of Porsche AG agree on Future Package - Porsche Newsroom

• Future Package is the basis for the strategic realignment as part of the "Sportwagenschmiede 35" strategy.
• Porsche plans to invest a cumulative of 2.1 billion euros in the Zuffenhausen and Weissach sites by 2035.
• Comprehensive measures aim to significantly reduce personnel costs, increase flexibility at the sites and significantly increase productivity.
• Socially responsible reduction of a further 5,000 jobs by 2035, largely through natural attrition, demographic effects, the expansion of the special partial retirement programme and voluntary severance agreements.
• Porsche extends employment and site protection until 2035.

 

[Tooney]

VW Wants Higher Tariffs After Chinese PHEVs Overtake Its Best-Seller in Europe

• Volkswagen Group’s CEO wants the EU to impose higher tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrids.
• The demand comes after the Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV went from best-seller to outsider in the European sales charts.
• “We have no time to lose,” said CEO Oliver Blume during the company’s first-half earnings call.

Volkswagen in takeover talks with Chinese partner on Spanish battery plant, trade outlet reports

 

[PorscheTaycan]

Volkswagen Group’s CEO wants the EU to impose higher tariffs on Chinese plug-in hybrids.

What's happened to the free market? Make better cars to compete.

 

[SoccerMan94043]

A tale of two cities:

https://insideevs.com/news/802839/bmw-ix5-ev-battery-production-plant-woodruff/

 

[snstevens]

A tale of two cities:

https://insideevs.com/news/802839/bmw-ix5-ev-battery-production-plant-woodruff/

I found this part very interesting, as I’m not sure these battery packs are serviceable. This might not be the end the world of course. Full battery pack replacement is always an option if it’s affordable.

BMW engineers start by checking each cell’s voltage when it arrives from its supplier. From there, workers cluster the cells together and hook them up to cooling components, then weld everything together with lasers. Once that's done, the whole pack gets filled with a foam that hardens around the cells, locking everything into one solid block for protection. ​

​

The pack housing is then sealed, and the Energy Master (basically the battery's brain) gets bolted on. The Energy Master also requires its own glue and seal so that it's properly locked in place and fully insulated from the outside. ​

 

[PorscheTaycan]

It's in Australian media now:
https://www.news.com.au/technology/...s/news-story/7adfc0dae4e077adf42be98a20506ae1

Porsche will slash around one in five jobs over the next decade as part of a sweeping plan to put the iconic sports car maker back on a stronger financial footing.

The latest cuts build on an earlier restructuring plan announced under former boss Oliver Blume, which included plans to remove 3900 positions.

Sponsored