Audi CFO Calls for Restructuring with Volkswagen Group Support
Audi AG's Chief Financial Officer Jürgen Rittersberger has called for closer collaboration with parent company Volkswagen Group to implement a restructuring plan amid declining sales and economic headwinds. Despite cost-cutting measures showing positive results in the first half of 2026, these efforts are deemed insufficient against ongoing challenges such as geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic pressures. Audi's global vehicle deliveries fell by 7% year-over-year to 727,000 units during H1 2026. The company revised its full-year revenue guidance downward from €63 billion–€68 billion to €58 billion–€63 billion due to ongoing competitive challenges in China and U.S. tariffs impacting sales. Volkswagen Group itself reported a decline in operating profit by 11.6% year-over-year for the same period. Rittersberger emphasized that Audi must realign its business model with structural improvements supported by VW, highlighting recent strategic decisions such as closing the Brussels plant to improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Topics: automotive cost discipline parent company collaboration