Volkswagen Group, which owns Audi and Porsche, said it currently has sufficient semiconductor supply despite growing concerns across Europe following China’s export ban on finished chips from manufacturer Nexperia.
“The current chip crisis shows how fragile our world is,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume told Bild am Sonntag. “Unlike the last semiconductor crisis, this one involves very simple chips that are used across industries and especially in cars. In the short-term, we are provided for in the Volkswagen Group. We need a swift political solution.”
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Germany’s automotive industry has warned of potential production stoppages after Nexperia, which was recently taken over by the Dutch government, said it could no longer guarantee reliable chip deliveries. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said the move has created a new supply bottleneck for key components and urged policymakers in Europe to act quickly.
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The Dutch government assumed control of Nexperia and removed its CEO, Zhang Xuezheng, by court order, citing national security concerns over technology transfer to its Chinese parent company, Wingtech. In response, China imposed export restrictions on parts of Nexperia’s production, disrupting supply chains and fueling geopolitical tension between Beijing and European capitals.
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Blume, who also serves as Porsche’s CEO, said the sports car maker has been hit hard by U.S. tariffs and slowing demand in China, calling the situation a “massive crisis.” Porsche reported a third-quarter operating loss of nearly €1 billion ($1.2 billion) but expects “a clear positive trend” starting in 2026.
Blume will step down as Porsche CEO in early 2026, with former McLaren Automotive head Michael Leiters set to take over. “Leiters was a candidate on my list of successors,” Blume said. “He is a sports car professional and will be a good Porsche boss.”
Source: Bild am Sonntag