Despite strong headwinds, Volkswagen delivered around 4.8 million vehicles to customers worldwide last year (1.4 per cent fewer than in the previous year). Volkswagen was again the clear market leader in Germany with a market share of 19.1 per cent, according to the German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).

Since 1975, the Volkswagen Polo has delighted generations of people and has become a pioneer in its class: it has always stood for affordable mobility, timeless design and pioneering technology. With more than 20 million vehicles sold in six generations, the Polo has established itself as one of the most successful models in its class. In 2025, Volkswagen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the small compact car.

Following intensive negotiations between Volkswagen AG, IG Metall and the Works Council, a joint agreement entitled ‘Zukunft Volkswagen’ [Future Volkswagen ] has been concluded. The company and the Works Council are thereby jointly positioning Volkswagen AG for sustainable success. To this end, the company is realigning production capacities at Volkswagen AG's German locations. It is creating the conditions for a reduction in labour costs of €1.5 billion per year at the collectively agreed level with an agreement on the company wage settlement until 2030. The short-term effects in labour costs and the agreed structural measures through capacity reduction and a decrease in development costs will lead to cost effects of over €4 billion per year in the medium term. In addition, a reduction in capacity of 734,000 units across the German plants is planned. This will enable Volkswagen AG to lay the foundation for important investments in future products through to 2030. The structural realignment of the company at an operational and collective level will create the conditions for achieving the return-on-sales target for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand in the medium term.