OREANDA-NEWS.

The CEO of Volkswagen AG, Matthias M?ller, and the Volkswagen General Works Council Chairman, Bernd Osterloh, reached agreement on the next concrete steps in the Volkswagen 2025 initiative today (Monday). There is a consensus that the negotiations called for last week by employee representatives are to include in particular measures to safeguard locations under Planning Round 65 alongside a strategy 2025 for the Volkswagen brand to be drafted together with the Volkswagen brand Board of Management under the leadership of Dr. Herbert Diess.

It is the intention of the Group Board of Management and the Works Council to jointly agree on strategic milestones for the future direction of the brand and its locations and markets worldwide. In addition, binding packages to safeguard locations are to be agreed for Volkswagen’s German plants. Under Planning Round 65 this will relate to short- and medium-term measures and investments. Furthermore, long-term goals for location perspectives are to be defined as part of the jointly-developed strategy.

Matthias M?ller: “The Executive Committee of the Supervisory Board and the Group Board of Management welcome the initiative by employee representatives to jointly shape the future in a constructive dialog. The Volkswagen brand represents over half of all the Group’s production locations worldwide and, as the brand accounting for the highest volume, is of particular importance for the Volkswagen Group. Both the Works Council and the Board of Management accept their responsibility for more than 215,000 employees. A clear strategy is vital for the future of the brand.”

Bernd Osterloh: “We are pleased that the Group’s CEO Matthias M?ller will be supporting the process for the future together with the Volkswagen brand Board of Management. That is a strong signal for the entire Volkswagen team. Our aim is to jointly overcome the effects of the emissions scandal and at the same time lead Volkswagen into the era of electro-mobility and digitalization. In this process, though, we must not forget that the activities of our locations for the next few years will still primarily relate to conventional vehicles. That is why we will be coming together to discuss and agree short-, medium- and long-term targets.”

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche: “As a representative of the largest shareholder, we expressly welcome the fact that, particularly at this difficult time, there is to be a joint initiative by the Group Board of Management and the Works Council to safeguard the continued development of the Volkswagen brand. We know and respect Mr. M?ller and Mr. Osterloh as responsible gentlemen who always have Volkswagen’s best interests at heart. I am convinced they will succeed in finding good solutions for VW, its employees and shareholders.”

Stephan Weil: “The Executive Committee today gave its unanimous support to the Volkswagen 2025 initiative. There is a consensus that economic viability and employment will in future continue to be equal-ranking corporate goals. For the State of Lower Saxony, this is about sustainably strengthening the Volkswagen brand and its locations worldwide. As a shareholder we have a responsibility that goes beyond the borders of Lower Saxony, and we are pursuing that responsibility with great commitment.”