Volkswagen Group announced on September 3 that it will eliminate 50,000 jobs and cut half of its vehicle offerings in an attempt to lower costs and stay competitive amongst the increasing Chinese competition in Europe. The automaker, which also sells the Audi, Porsche, and Lamborghini brands in addition to Volkswagen and other car brands, is additionally facing tariff costs on its shipments to the US market.
The company's statement went on to explain that "the prioritized models aim to excel in design and technology—and benefit from the focus on fewer variants," reducing the "complexity" of the cars they build by 75%. It did not, however, identify specific job cuts or factory closings.
The company has been cutting staff and battling its powerful German unions for years, as Volkswagen Group employment numbers in Germany dropped from 275,000 in 2023 to 254,000 as of late June 2026, according to the company's most recent financial report.
Indeed, mass layoffs continue to surge across industries as companies confront shifting markets, inflation, geopolitical tensions, and rapid advances in automation. Such cuts may help corporations regain footing, but they often leave deep impacts on displaced employees.
This gallery explores some of the biggest corporate layoffs in history, offering a broader perspective on how industries respond to change and the human cost that often follows. Click on to learn more.