Pötsch Urges Volkswagen to Accelerate Reorganization

“Measures to strengthen competitiveness, cut costs, and sustainably improve profitability must be rapidly implemented,” Porsche Automobil Holding SE Chief Executive Officer Hans Dieter Pötsch said following the company’s financial results, Novinky reported.

Pötsch called on Volkswagen group managers to accelerate a reorganization of the automaker, stating that executing these steps is now the core responsibility of management.

Porsche SE operates primarily as a key shareholder and investment holding rather than a direct manufacturer of Volkswagen, Škoda, or Porsche vehicles. Its financial performance depends heavily on the earnings of Volkswagen and Porsche AG alongside its broader asset portfolio.

That structure tied the holding company directly to Volkswagen’s struggles, resulting in a net loss of 2,78 miliardy eur across the first three quarters of the year, according to Novinky. By comparison, Porsche SE reported a 1,24 miliardy euro profit during the same period a year earlier.

The multi-billion-euro deficit stemmed chiefly from an accounting write-down on the holding’s stake in Volkswagen, rather than a direct cash outflow or share sale. Novinky reported that the adjusted result showed a loss of 930 milionů eur after stripping out those specific accounting adjustments and extraordinary effects.

Volkswagen faces softer demand in China, rising competition from domestic manufacturers, and the financial pressure of American tariffs. High operational expenses and the costly transition to electric vehicles continue to weigh on automotive earnings.

Porsche SE holds a 31.9 percent equity stake in Volkswagen, which grants the holding 53.3 percent of the voting rights. It also maintains a 12.5 percent share in sports car manufacturer Porsche AG.

The investment holding is actively working to diversify its holdings beyond the automotive sector. Novinky reported that Porsche SE directs capital into artificial intelligence, aerospace, and defense technologies, including an investment this year in the American space firm Stoke Space Technologies alongside increased stakes in several other technology enterprises.

For the full year, Porsche SE expects an adjusted post-tax result ranging from a loss of 500 milionů eur to a profit of 1,5 miliardy eur.