Volkswagen pays billions in US tariffs – hope for relief

Volkswagen, Europe's largest car manufacturer, says it has already paid billions in US tariffs.
CEO Oliver Blume said the punitive tariffs and trade barriers were particularly affecting the Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Cupra, and Škoda brands.

In the first half of 2025, Audi alone posted losses of €600 million due to tariffs.

Porsche had to bear additional customs costs of around 300 million euros in April and May. Most of these brands do not manufacture their vehicles directly in the US.

The group now expects import duties on cars to be reduced from the current 27.5 percent to 15 percent.

At the same time, according to Blume, Volkswagen is in positive talks with the US government about tax breaks in connection with planned investments in the United States.

This includes the possible construction of an Audi plant on US soil.

The plan is that for every dollar invested in the US, a tariff reduction of the same amount will automatically be granted.

(reuters, sie)