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

The Audi Quattro is back! ABT has recreated the icon, and it’s got 523bhp
ABT representatives standing next to the ABT Audi Quattro

The Audi Quattro is back! ABT has recreated the icon, and it’s got 523bhp

Only 30 examples of reimagined rally legend will be built, and they were all sold within hours of the car being unveiled
News
2 May 2025
Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept: entry-level ID.1 EV will ‘still feel like a Volkswagen’
Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept - front action

Volkswagen ID.Every1 concept: entry-level ID.1 EV will ‘still feel like a Volkswagen’

The Volkswagen ID.1 will arrive in 2027 and look to start below £20,000
News
23 Apr 2025
Cutting-edge new AUDI E5 Sportback is the 776bhp, 480-mile EV estate… that we won’t see in the UK
AUDI E5 Sportback on display at Shanghai Motor Show - front

Cutting-edge new AUDI E5 Sportback is the 776bhp, 480-mile EV estate… that we won’t see in the UK

First offering from the joint venture between Audi and SAIC will, very confusingly, be sold by new AUDI sub-brand
News
23 Apr 2025

Most Popular

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change
Protyre area manager Simon Hall inspecting a Vauxhall Corsa's tyre

Not bothered by MoT advisories? That may be about to change

The number of MoT failures caused by worn tyres is on the rise, and experts are calling for mandatory follow-ups on advisories
News
12 May 2025
Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”
VW Golf GTI badge

Confirmed: New VW Golf GTI will be electric – and it’s a “monster”

VW is taking the iconic hot hatchback brand into the electric era with the new Golf GTI EV already in development…
News
13 May 2025
Audi e-tron GT gets huge £20k price cut as new entry-level quattro joins range
Audi e-tron GT quattro - front 3/4 dynamic

Audi e-tron GT gets huge £20k price cut as new entry-level quattro joins range

Most basic e-tron GT also comes with the longest range and nigh-on 500bhp
News
13 May 2025