The new ten-year plan is still being drafted but it’s likely to be similar to Winterkorn’s original ‘Route 15’ plan, which he instilled at Audi during his stint as CEO of the premium brand. One official revealed to Automotive News that the new plan has set 2018 as a target and it will include both “sales and financial goals.”
One advantage Toyota has over VW is its strong presence in the US, where VW’s major brands are still regarded as small players. According to analysts, VW needs to increase volume while also improve productivity. The key will be to take advantage of parts sharing and extending the life-cycle of components.
VW is not alone in setting a new strategic plan. Rivals BMW, Daimler are currently reviewing their strategic plans as is PSA Peugeot-Citroen, which is expected to announce a new strategy within months.