usatoday24
Last week he was one of those crucial moments in the history of a company like Volkswagen. The dream of the German house of offering the general public at an electric non -exorbitant price or, as they themselves announced, “for all”, it was advanced under the ID name. Every1a utility on the border of 20,000 euros as a red line. It happens that, if things come out auctionly, VW has an ace in the sleeve. Because they sell more sausages than cars.
An unexpected record. As we said, Volkswagen closed 2024 with a surprising fact: He sold more currywurstthe famous German sausages, than cars. While the manufacturer delivered 5.2 million vehicles worldwide, its food division reached a record of 8.5 million sausages sold200,000 more than in 2023.
Of course, although the unexpected gastronomic success has been celebrated by the company, what is doubtful, does not seem to compensate for the difficult financial situation that crosses.
Decline in sales. Because the excellent data of the sausages is certainly negative. Annual results, published on Tuesdaythey revealed one 30.4% drop In net benefits, despite a slight increase of 0.7% in total income. Sales collapse in China, its most important market, has been a severe blow, since the country registered its lowest level of Volkswagen vehicles in more than a decade.
Meanwhile, Chinese manufacturers Like Byd They have gained land with cheaper electric models, surpassing VW as The largest car seller In the Asian giant.
The secret of VW sausages. The currywursta sausage bathed in tomato sauce with spices of curry and accompanied by fried potatoes, has been a symbol within the Volkswagen culture Since its introduction in 1973. Originally prepared to feed workers in their dining rooms, the product has expanded until it is sold in supermarkets from 12 countries.
To get an idea of the importance it has for the company, it even has a piece number in the spare parts catalog: 199 398 500 Awhich reinforces its status as an “original Volkswagen component.” It is sold in the 30 canteens of the company, in work kiosks and in supermarkets near its factories.
Volkswagen’s butcher shop at the Wolfsburg plant in 1973
The controversy. In 2021 the company tried scandal which included the protest of former German Foreign Minister Gerhard Schröder, who He defended the sausage as “an energy bar for production workers.”
After the controversy, Volkswagen reintroduced currywurst in 2023 apologized by ensuring that he had only wanted to respond to the growing demand for vegetarian and vegan options among his employees and, since then, his popularity has continued on the rise. “The Volkswagen currywurst has become much more than a simple snack; is an icon ”, Gunnar Kilian declaredGroup’s Human Resources Director, holding the sales record.
Structural problems And while sausages reach historical figures, the automaker faces a deep crisis. In an attempt to reduce costs, Volkswagen was about to close factories in Germany for the first time in its history and, although he managed to avoid it, he announced The dismissal of 35,000 employees In the coming years. In addition, the company temporarily suspended its labor security program, which had protected jobs until 2029, and only after a last minute negotiation with the unions in December It extended up to 2030.
The company’s situation has also been threatened by external factors. It We have recentlyDonald Trump has warned that he will impose tariffs on car imports from Europe and Mexico, where Volkswagen has plants than They supply the US market. To this are added geopolitical uncertainty and the increase in commercial restrictions, which adds more pressure to the company’s recovery strategy.
The electric bet. Despite the difficult panorama, the German house maintains the hope of a rebound in 2025, with the forecast of a growth of More than 5% In your income. As part of its transformation, it has presented plans to launch in 2027 That most affordable electric model To date with the intention of recovering land in front of their Chinese rivals.
Meanwhile, the irony that a global renowned automotive company sells more sausages that cars reflects the deep difficulties that the sector is going through. Although the currywurst has become an unusual stability pillar for Volkswagen, it is impossible to hide the monumental challenges he faces to recover his leadership in the sector and adapt to an increasingly competitive market.
Image | MonstourzVolkswagen, Lothar Schaack
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