Volkswagen: The car manufacturer exceeds expectations in one key figure. Photo: REUTERS
Berlin. Europe’s largest car manufacturer Volkswagen received a surprising amount of money in its coffers in 2025 despite weak sales in China, the expensive strategy shift at Porsche and US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The cash inflow in the car business was six billion euros, one billion euros higher than in 2024, as the Wolfsburg-based company announced on Wednesday. The company itself had not expected that there would be money left over at the end of the year.
According to a spokesman, the reason for the higher cash inflow is that Volkswagen reduced its inventories towards the end of the year. On the other hand, investments in both systems and research and development were lower than initially expected.
According to the company, according to preliminary figures, the investment rate was twelve percent of revenues in the car business; in 2024 it was still at 14.3 percent. CFO Arno Antlitz wants to further reduce investments in the coming years. They are expected to reach 160 billion euros by 2030, which is less than in previous investment cycles.
He can access a higher cash balance than previously assumed. According to the information, the net liquidity of the group, which includes brands such as VW, Audi, Porsche and Traton, was more than 34 billion euros, which is four billion euros more than last predicted. Analysts had expected a significantly lower cash inflow and lower liquidity.
Volkswagen lowered its forecast in September after the costly strategy change at its sports car subsidiary Porsche. The Stuttgart-based company had previously cut back on its electrical plans and incurred billions in charges.