Volkswagen to invest $186 billion through 2030, CEO says

FRANKFURT, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Volkswagen Group plans to invest 160 billion euros ($186 billion) through 2030, its CEO Oliver Blume said, reflecting belt-tightening as Europe's top automaker faces a major crisis in its two key markets, China and the United States.

Total spending, updated annually as part of Volkswagen's rolling five-year investment plan, compares with 165 billion euros for the 2025-2029 period and 180 billion for 2024-2028, with 2024 marking a peak.

Since then, Volkswagen, which includes the Porsche and Audi brands, has been squeezed by tariffs on U.S. imports and fierce competition in China.

This has hurt profits most notably at Porsche, which sells around half its cars in just these two markets and unveiled a major roll-back on its electric vehicle strategy.

Blume told the weekly Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung that the focus in the latest spending plan was "on Germany and Europe," including in products, technology and infrastructure. He said talks about an extended savings programme at Porsche would run into 2026.

PORSCHE NOT EXPECTED TO GROW IN CHINA, BLUME SAYS

Blume, who will step down as Porsche CEO in January to focus on the Volkswagen CEO role, said considerations around a potential U.S. plant for Audi depended on possible substantial financial support by Washington.

While Porsche was not expected to grow in China, he said localising production in the wider Volkswagen group was possible and a tailor-made Porsche model for China could make sense one day.

Blume said a recent contract extension as Volkswagen CEO until 2030 was a clear signal of support by the shareholding Porsche and Piech families, as well as the German state of Lower Saxony, Volkswagen's two biggest investors.

"But it is true, of course, that shareholders have suffered losses since Porsche went public three years ago. I, too, must face up to this criticism."

($1 = 0.8590 euros)

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz; Editing by Bernadette BaumEditing by Bernadette Baum)