Meanwhile Renault will be producing the 5 (upcoming small EV) in France for a pretty low price considering modern car (and especially EV) pricing. It's even got a reasonable range.

My point bringing that up is... if this happens, it's because VW is being greedy and seeks to outsource labour – likely to Asia. It's not because it's a necessary move to make their business viable.

I've always liked VAG cars, shit I currently have one, but they've been making such massive missteps for years now.

Seems like a misstep. If the cars aren’t selling, look outside the manufacturing plant for the problems.

The Wolfsburg-based manufacturer on Monday informed its works council

Goshdarnit Guardian. You mean management, as in the CEO, informed the board, which has 50% - 1 seats allocated to the works council. Who already expressed their preference for the CEO to shove it. Then we have the seats representing the state stake (Lower Saxony owns 20%), which let it be known, somewhat more statesmanlike, that "the question of works closures won't arise because every other option will be exhausted first".

My prediction? If the CEO doesn't clearly communicate that "those were of course theoretical considerations unlikely to have practical relevance" there's going to be a new CEO.

German economy without Russian gas lol