How to save Volkswagen. By a VW exec (name withheld)

Picture courtesy Volkswagen

A Volkswagen exec who – understandably – would prefer to remain anonymous, sent me this turn-around plan for his embattled employer. Submitted without further comment.

  • Stop the single-minded focus on headcount alone.
  • Dissolve Cariad. Move responsibilities back to the brand groups.
  • Source state-of-the-art mobility and connectivity solutions from suppliers.
  • Outside of core competency areas, cooperate with suppliers in early phases of development, abandon expensive and non-functioning do-it-yourself.
  • Immediately stop in-house development and production of batteries. Volkswagen Group builds cars, not batteries.
  • Completely revamp vehicle production (unboxing-concepts.) Dump our old fashioned methods.
  • Start-Of-Production (SOP) planning must become reliable again, not a moving target.
  • Set drastically higher standards for quality and features of on-board software, especially ADAS.
  • R&D engineers must research and develop again, must stop playing coordinator for suppliers (double costing.)
  • Shorter development cycles, especially for software. Software does not follow multi-year cycles.
  • Reduce involvement of consultants.
  • Cancel investment into marginal companies like Northvolt, Rivian, Varta, or Xpeng.
  • Lobby governments to end CO2 penalties, stop technological bias, be open to new ideas.

 

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