German auto giant Volkswagen on Wednesday reported a substantial drop in first-quarter profit. The results come as carmakers face uncertainty regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing auto tariffs.
Volkswagen should consider acquiring Rivian to widen options and prepare for worst-case scenarios, leveraging Rivian's U.S. factories and advanced software capabilities. Rivian's reduced share price and Volkswagen's existing investment make an acquisition feasible, offering scale benefits and reduced R&D expenses. Full ownership of Rivian could eliminate JV risks, enhance supplier negotiations, and integrate Volkswagen's battery technology, boosting both companies' competitive edge.
Volkswagen confirmed Wednesday that it is joining the growing group of automakers committing to keeping prices steady to ease car shoppers' concerns around tariffs.
Volkswagen's truckmaker Scania said on Friday it had agreed to buy bankrupt Northvolt's division that makes battery packs for heavy industry, reviving a transaction first presented in February, for an undisclosed price.
The German automaker warned that first-quarter earnings missed expectations after taking a hit from one-off items including some early impact from U.S. import tariffs.
The automaker has been hit by intense competition in China that has seen rivals cut prices to win customers in its largest market.
German carmaker Volkswagen saw a slight rise in vehicle deliveries during the first three months of the year, helped by growing demand in almost all markets.
The Volkswagen Group more than doubled its deliveries of battery-electric cars in Europe in the first quarter to over 150,000 from 74,400 in the same period last year, the carmaker said on Wednesday, in another sign that EV demand is picking up.
Volkswagen's Audi is holding back cars that arrived in U.S. ports after April 2 because of the newly imposed 25% autos tariff, a spokesperson said on Tuesday, confirming the contents of a memo sent to dealers and reported on by U.S. trade publication Automotive News.
China's Horizon Robotics announced on Monday that it would cooperate with Volkswagen on advanced driver assistance solution, extending its co-operation with the German automaker.
The company's move is one of the first and clearest examples of automakers using price increases to deal with the 25 percent tariffs President Trump imposed on car and auto parts imports.
Volkswagen Group (XETRA:VOW) is planning to slap an "import fee" to the stickers on imported cars affected by new 25% US tariffs. The German car manufacturer has also temporarily halted rail deliveries from Mexico and vehicles about to be shipped from Europe, the Wall Street Journal reported.