At the opening of the International Suppliers Fair (IZB2024) in Germany, Volkswagen's procurement director Dirk Große-Loheide shared his views on the industry situation. He emphasized that long-term partnerships and strong networks with suppliers are key to success, and shared adaptability is the best way to survive in the competition.

Volkswagen significantly increased its participation in IZB in 2024 to strengthen cooperation and communication. Große-Loheide stated that in the current challenging times for the automotive industry, good cooperation and solid partnerships are crucial to maintaining competitiveness. Procurement and technology development are being conducted simultaneously at IZB, with both sides working more closely together to ensure the competitiveness of vehicles and the industry.

Regarding the increase in supplier bankruptcies in the first half of 2024, Große-Loheide said they are closely monitoring the market. On one hand, this reflects trends such as fierce industry competition, difficult transformation, and policy uncertainty; on the other hand, the risks faced by some long-term partners have prompted Volkswagen to continue committing to innovation, optimization, and cost reduction. Volkswagen has taken various measures to support suppliers, such as providing strong support during crises. At the same time, Volkswagen ensures supply chain quality through a risk management system, identifying and addressing potential risks. As the Volkswagen Group, it expects suppliers to comply with the Code of Conduct for Business Partners, achieving economic, ecological, and social responsibilities. In terms of innovation, Volkswagen gives suppliers space to jointly reduce costs and overcome challenges. For forms of cooperation, Volkswagen believes shared adaptability is key, and if the market demands, they will jointly develop suitable cooperation models.