Volkswagen sales plunge as German automaker lays out plan to slash number of brands

Volkswagen reported an 8.6% sales decline in Q2, with a significant drop in China, and announced plans to reduce models by nearly half to streamline operations. CEO Oliver Blume emphasized reducing complexity and improving competitiveness amid rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and stiff competition, while protests emerged over job concerns at a Zwickau plant transitioning to electric vehicles.