Presenting its Strategy 2030 to the supervisory board, the members said the main focus in the coming years will be on building up software expertise to become a market leader in e-mobility.

The German carmaker also sees traditional job roles changing: “In the move away from a company of classical engineers and skilled workers to the new areas encompassed by a tech company, the individual opportunities for change open to employees will be a decisive factor for success. A successful outcome will accordingly require sustainable concepts for transforming the workforce and training employees in a broad range of fields.”

The group expects strong turnover for the first half of the year as well as an operating profit of around €11 billion. These results will be published at the end of July.

Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch commented: “Dr Herbert Diess (pictured) and his management team have worked with employee representatives to successfully advance the transformation of the Group over the last few years. The supervisory board believes that under the leadership of Dr Diess conditions will be optimal for the continued successful development of the entire company in the coming years as well, especially in view of Strategy 2030.”

The Volkswagen Group comprises 12 brands: Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN.