Latest News Updates From William Wilkes

Volkswagen is restructuring to slim its sprawling portfolio and lift profitability. Ducati is one brand that could be jettisoned even though the motorcycle maker is among the group’s most prestigious assets.

Bosch Mobility will be transferred out of the German parent company into a separate limited-liability company while remaining wholly owned by the Bosch group.

Bosch’s Mobility division, which manufacturers auto parts, was the main drag in the first half, with sales slipping and the unit’s margin dwindling.

The warning deepens the challenge for CEO Oliver Blume, who is trying to overhaul Europe’s biggest carmaker as its former growth engines falter. 

Cutting out Ducati would help streamline VW’s portfolio to focus on carmaking. VW is trying to slim down in an effort to make Europe’s biggest carmaker more competitive. 

Volkswagen's supervisory board backed a sweeping overhaul that calls for 50,000 additional job cuts, far fewer models and a smaller industrial footprint.

Porsche has been hit particularly hard by the collapse in Chinese demand for German luxury cars and weaker-than-expected sales of electric models including the Taycan.

Management is arguing the automaker needs an all-hands overhaul, including a carve-out of the VW brand, to withstand mounting competition from Chinese rivals.

VW is entering another period of upheaval after CEO Oliver Blume and other executives signaled internally that the group remains uncompetitive in key areas.

Mercedes will offload part of its roughly 35% holding in Daimler Truck, CFO Harald Wilhelm said.  Even with extra cash from selling shares, Mercedes is bracing for a difficult year.