Volkswagen has dramatically cut its 2026 profit outlook as deteriorating business in China, restructuring costs and a multibillion-euro writedown at Porsche pile pressure on Europe's largest automaker.
The German carmaker now expects an operating margin of no more than 1% this year, down from its previous forecast of at least 4%, according to Bloomberg. Volkswagen shares fell more than 7% following the announcement, dragging other automakers lower.
VW expects around €10 billion ($11.5 billion) in charges this year, including restructuring costs ****** ociated with workforce reductions and writedowns on Chinese ****** ets. The total includes a €6-billion writedown related to Porsche, reflecting revised long-term expectations for the sports-car maker.
Excluding the exceptional charges, Volkswagen said its operating margin would be around 4%.
China represents one of the biggest challenges. Volkswagen CFO Arno Antlitz said the market has contracted by around 20%, with no stabilization currently in sight. Chinese automakers are simultaneously taking domestic market share and expanding into Europe with competitively priced electric vehicles.

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