Business insights for the global leather community

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China slump forces Volkswagen to lower expectations

Volkswagen Group has reported lower profitability and vehicle sales for the first half of 2026 as weak demand in China and ongoing market pressures weighed on performance, although the company says it expects improved margins in the second half of the year. Read More...

Volkswagen to cut 50,000 jobs in Germany

Volkswagen plans to eliminate around 50,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as part of a wider restructuring programme, according to CEO Oliver Blume in the company’s 2025 shareholder letter. Read More...

Audi delivers 1.6 million vehicles in 2025

Volkswagen Group’s Audi has reported the sale of more than 1.6 million vehicles worldwide in 2025, marking a decline of around 3% year-on-year, as geopolitical and economic pressures continued to weigh on the global automotive market. Read More...

Handbrake turn

Mike Redwood

Mike Redwood takes a look at the changing state of the global automotive industry and how leather fits into the picture Read More...