盈利承压转型阵痛 跨国车企集体“降速御冬”

Core Insights - The global automotive market is undergoing an unprecedented deep adjustment, with major automakers like Volkswagen, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz implementing significant strategic changes in response to rising electric vehicle penetration, intensified market competition, and increasing profitability pressures [1][2][3] Strategic Adjustments - Volkswagen plans to shut down part of its traditional fuel vehicle production lines in Wolfsburg, Germany, affecting around 3,000 employees, as part of its "2030 strategy" adjustment, with a 25% reduction in R&D budget for traditional powertrains from 2025 to 2027 [1] - Ford has reduced its planned investment in electric vehicle transformation from $50 billion to $35 billion, delaying the launch of several electric models and halting the construction of a new battery factory in Germany [2] - Mercedes-Benz has initiated a three-year efficiency improvement plan aiming to cut costs by over €14 billion, focusing on optimizing supply chains and reducing non-core business investments [2] Market Pressures - The global automotive sales are projected to reach 88 million units in 2025, with electric vehicles accounting for over 42% of the market, an 8 percentage point increase from 2024, driven largely by growth in the Asian market [3] - Traditional automakers face significant profitability challenges, with Ford's electric vehicle segment expected to incur a loss of $4.5 billion in 2024, while Volkswagen's electric vehicle profit margin stands at only 3.2%, compared to 8.5% for traditional fuel vehicles [3][4] Industry Transformation - Automakers are shifting from large-scale investments and vertical integration to a light-asset operation model, focusing on strategic partnerships for battery supply rather than building in-house factories [4][5] - Companies are concentrating production capacity in high-growth markets and high-margin products, with Volkswagen increasing investment in new energy vehicles in emerging markets while reducing production in Europe [5] - Research and development budgets are being refocused on core technologies, with companies like Mercedes-Benz prioritizing autonomous driving and smart cockpit technologies [5] Future Outlook - The collective slowdown of major automakers is seen as a pragmatic response to short-term pressures and a necessary evolution in the industry's development stage, with only those able to adapt quickly to market changes and maintain financial stability likely to succeed in the long term [6]