German automotive giant Volkswagen has downgraded its forecasts for the second time in less than three months, slashing expectations for revenue, profit, and cash flow amidst weaker-than-expected demand and ongoing questions about its EV and China strategy.
The company cited “challenging market environment and developments that have fallen short of original expectations”, and said the issue is being felt in its passenger car, commercial vehicles and components business.
Total deliveries fell by 0.6 per cent over the first six months of 2024 to 4,348,000, including a total of just 317,200 battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which itself was down 1.4 per cent on the same period a year earlier.
VW is not the only European car maker struggling with the transition to EVs, with Mercedes and BMW also issuing downgraded forecasts, Stellantis suffering a major slump in shares, and the EU urged to protect their car makers with additional tariffs on Chinese electric cars.
