The German auto giant is facing a major problem in the United States, as thousands of vehicles from its luxury brands are currently stuck in the country's ports due to customs problems linked to Chinese components.
Porsches, Bentleys and Audis stuck at customs
The stakes are high for VW, with around 1000 vehicles Porsche brand, several hundred Bentleys and several thousand Audis immobilized, following the seizure by American customs. The reason ? An electronic component, originating from China, would not comply with American regulations and therefore prohibited from import. Dirk Ameer, a VW spokesman, stressed that the problem was linked to a small electronic component, and that replacements were being made as new parts arrived.
For customers impatiently waiting for their car, however, this situation could result in delays until the end of March. The financial consequences of this crisis could be significant, while VW's reputation, already shaken by past scandals, could be put to the test…
Forced labor
Beyond delivery delays, Volkswagen faces additional pressure due to its operations in China, notably with a factory in Urumqi, Xinjiang. Although this factory does not produce any vehicles, it employs 197 employees carrying out quality checks on already assembled vehicles.
THE german newspaper Handelsblatt also reported that forced labor could have been used during the construction of a test track in Turpan, operated by a subsidiary of the SAIC-VW joint venture, in a region where the Chinese government is accused of forcing Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities to work . VW said it was in talks with SAIC, exploring different options to resolve the situation. Early termination of VW contract with Xinjiang plant until 2029 considered.
What is the solution ?
Germany's VW Group has stressed that it takes allegations of human rights violations seriously and warned that ongoing investigations could lead to the end of its relationships with suppliers involved in such practices. This highlights the complexity of the issues that international businesses face, not only in terms of supply chains, but also social responsibility.
The current situation highlights the challenges faced by automotive companies, which face geopolitical and ethical issues in an increasingly complex global market.
The next few weeks will be crucial to see how VW manages to overcome these obstacles and restore its position in the US and international market.