Volkswagen Group is dramatically simplifying future vehicle configurations.
The standardization push spans both volume and premium brands.
Expect far fewer choices for headlights, bumpers, seats, and wheels.
After many profitable decades, China is no longer a cash cow for legacy automakers. For several years now, virtually all Western brands have been on a slippery slope in the world's largest car market. It's not just that the gravy train has come to an end. The meteoric rise of Chinese brands is beginning to have a noticeable impact in other parts of the world as well. Last month, the likes of SAIC, BYD, and Geely reached a combined 10.9 percent share of Europe's new-car market, according to Dataforce figures cited by Automotive News Europe.
Long-established automakers are trying to fight back with a rapid influx of new models, but they know that won't be enough to satisfy executives and accountants. Drastic cost-cutting measures are necessary, and the Volkswagen Group has been the most vocal about how it plans to become a leaner, more efficient automaker. It has announced plans to effectively gut its product portfolio by eliminating up to half of its models.
