Volkswagen has met its first-quarter operating profit forecasts for 2019, despite taking a €1 billion hit due to legal costs related to the 'Dieselgate' diesel emissions scandal.
The company set aside the amount to cover additional legal risks from emissions cheating findings, with cases involving investors and customers still ongoing since the revelations surfaced in 2015.
The firm claims the provision is not related to charges filed against former CEO Martin Winterkorn and four other executives, who are accused of fraud for not reporting the systematic cheating. It brings the total costs from the scandal to around €30 billion, according to reports.
Despite this, increasing sales of the firm’s SUVs and an extensive cost-cutting programme has allowed Volkswagen to forecast revenue growth of 5% this year, and a group operating return on sales between 6.5 and 7.5%.
Earnings before interest and taxes are at €3.9 billion, down on previous years but in line with analysts' expectations. Bentley is also reported to have reversed its loss making record. However, passenger car sales fell 3% to 2.55 million vehicles during the quarter, with supply bottlenecks – caused by having to meet the stricter WLTP emissions regulations – still having a knock-on effect.
Read more:
VW dieselgate woes continue after German court decision
Dieselgate: VW admits to 28,600 UK complaints after software fix
Join the debate
Add your comment
I assume that is €30 billion just for VW
But not including the damage done to other manufacturers.
The flower vase on the dashboard
..the genuine flower vase for the beetle dashboard is only £19.99 from a prominent online supplier.
Long-Nose Wagon