Overview
- German tabloid Bild published a preliminary list on Monday reporting that about ten next‑generation Volkswagen Group models could be discontinued, and named the Porsche Taycan and petrol versions of the 718 Boxster and Cayman as candidates.
- Multiple outlets have repeated Bild’s list but Volkswagen declined to confirm the details and called the reports speculation about future product plans.
- The potential cuts are tied to Volkswagen Group’s Strategy 2035 push to raise profitability, with executives saying models are popular but not profitable and the list is said to aim for roughly €6.5 billion in savings by 2031.
- Engineering limits help explain the focus on the 718: Porsche’s PPE Sport electric architecture uses the battery pack as a load‑bearing part of the structure, so adding a conventional petrol drivetrain would require major redesign and extra cost.
- Final decisions and formal announcements have not been made and the reported list could change, but the move could lead to fewer model variants, deeper platform sharing, and further plant or workforce changes that would affect customers and employees.