Volkswagen has said that cost-cutting plans would include focusing on fewer high-volume models as well as streamlining production of VW passenger cars, SEAT/CUPRA and Skoda.
The Volkswagen brand has the company's highest sales volume by far, but margins traditionally lag behind luxury Audi and Porsche vehicles.
A Volkswagen brand spokesperson confirmed that talks began with workers in early October and that it would not comment further on the timeline or content of discussions.
Labour representatives, including the head of Volkswagen works council Daniela Cavallo, make up half of the company's supervisory board per German corporate governance law for large firms.
A works council spokesperson confirmed a first meeting had taken place but declined to comment further on the timeline.
Persons:
Matthias Rietschel, carmaker, Arno Antlitz, Brand, Thomas Schaefer, Daniela Cavallo, Cavallo, Victoria Waldersee, Christoph Steitz, Rod Nickel
Organizations:
Volkswagen Group, REUTERS, BERLIN, Volkswagen, VW, SEAT, Skoda, Porsche, Labour, Thomson
Locations:
Zwickau, Germany