Volkswagen Taos changes to face competing SUVs Volkswagen may need to cut around 50,000 additional jobs to reach a level of competitiveness similar to that of its competitors, said the automaker's chief executive, Oliver Blume, in an internal statement sent to employees. The statement confirms, for the first time, that the company is considering eliminating up to 100,000 jobs. ??Do you have any reporting suggestions? Send to g1 Blume is trying to restructure Europe's largest car manufacturer, whose profits have been pressured by billions of euros in tariff costs, strong competition in the Chinese market and the need to make its network of factories in Germany more efficient. After having already agreed to cut 50,000 positions across the group, including subsidiaries Porsche and Audi, the company is evaluating new measures to reduce expenses. According to the statement, Volkswagen identified that its costs are around 20% higher than those of competing companies. In practice, this would mean, in a theoretical estimate, the need to eliminate another 50,000 jobs around the world. "We are evaluating, across all brands, companies and regions, how many adjustments are really necessary and viable," stated Blume in the document. Until then, Volkswagen had avoided commenting on the news that it was considering eliminating up to 100,000 jobs. The statement was released after worker representatives demanded explanations from management about the restructuring plan presented by Blume to the company's supervisory board on Thursday. Sources with knowledge of the matter said employee representatives on the board blocked the proposals, which included job cuts and the possible closure of four factories. According to Blume, the company has not yet been able to define an economically viable use for the Emden, Hanover, Zwickau and Neckarsulm units in the 2030s. The executive stated, however, that he prefers to look for "intelligent solutions" rather than closing factories. Among the alternatives already mentioned are the use of the facilities by the defense industry or the production, in Europe, of Volkswagen models developed in China. Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, production of the Golf publicity/Volkswagen