Skip advert
Advertisement

'VW Group has a 300+ model range - that's unmanageable'

Germans do efficiency better than anyone, but VW Group needs to trim the fat in the wake of its emissions cheating, says Mike Rutherford

I can only go by personal and professional experiences. And they tell me this. Firstly, the Germans do efficiency better than anyone. Secondly, no German firm has been more efficient over recent decades than the Volkswagen Group.

Yet on the latter point at least, I’m wrong. Matthias Müller says so! And since he’s the Group’s top man, he should know. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

“We have severe weaknesses, above all when it comes to our structure, culture and efficiency,” confesses the CEO, who’s the bravest bloke in the auto industry for accepting what is the most thankless job going. Here’s a man who’s about to spend tens of billions on technical solutions relating to his Group’s ‘cheating’ diesels, then financial compensation for ‘cheated’ diesel buyers/owners, plus fines to governments and others who’ve boarded the lucrative ‘cheat’ bandwagon. Can we blame them? Or the no-win, no-fee lawyers about to cash in at VW’s expense?

Audi RS7 Performance - front

To pay those imminent financial liabilities, Müller needs much in-house cost cutting. And chopping models from his line-up or – to be more precise, line-ups – is one way to claw back billions. Product ranges within the VW Group family won’t be absolutely mullah’d by Müller. But his colossal VW range is likely to be sheared. And Audi, SEAT and Skoda line-ups are set to be trimmed.

• "How will our future in Europe impact on us car owners?"

Deleting marginal models is good. The VW Group has a 300-plus car, van and truck line-up. That’s ridiculously large and unmanageable. Sales execs and paying customers don’t want or need this many vehicles. They simply haven’t got the time or inclination to comprehend them. As with a restaurant menu with more than 300 dishes, or an electrical retailer with 300-plus washing machines on offer, the process becomes more pain than pleasure for the consumer, who knows that choices can be too wide.

SEAT Leon X-Perience

Müller’s smaller, easier to understand, less-is-more vehicle ranges make sense. As does his decision not to fight for the ‘largest manufacturer in the world’ title, which his egotistical, now defunct predecessors controversially achieved – with the aid of their ‘cheating’ diesels, of course.

A smaller, humbler VW Group with fewer models should result in vast cost savings that’ll first pay for the diesel debacle reparations before eventually leading to better value, more honest vehicles in showrooms... which have to be formally and symbolically certified as cheat-free zones.

What do you think about Mike's ideas? Do you agree? Leave us a comment below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Extra-hot electric Volkswagen GTI Clubsport models are on their way
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport - cornering

Extra-hot electric Volkswagen GTI Clubsport models are on their way

Electric hot hatches are front and centre in Volkswagen’s electric future
News
30 Jun 2025
Volkswagen leasing deals 2025
Volkswagen Golf facelift 2024 UK - front tracking

Volkswagen leasing deals 2025

The best Volkswagen leasing deals available right now
Best cars & vans
27 Jun 2025
New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
New cars coming soon header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
23 Jun 2025

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos, interior

Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy

Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years
News
27 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025