A group of around a dozen protestors gathered outside the event, obstructing traffic and accusing Volkswagen of making "climate-damaging decisions," as reported by Bloomberg. This action follows Volkswagen's previous lawsuit in Germany in 2021, where the company faced accusations of not doing enough to combat climate change.
The protestors argue that Volkswagen, as one of the world's largest automakers, profits significantly from vehicles that contribute to environmental harm. They also raised concerns about the company's involvement in the Dieselgate scandal, which involved emissions test cheating and global health implications.
During the meeting, the focus shifted to Volkswagen's labor practices. One activist threw a cake at Hans Dieter Pötsch, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche SE and the Supervisory Board of Volkswagen. Pötsch adeptly dodged the cake, narrowly avoiding direct impact. Other protestors displayed signs reading "VW = Forced Labor" and "End Uyghur Forced Labor," referencing Volkswagen's Xinjiang-based plant's alleged use of coercive labor practices.
Volkswagen has repeatedly denied these allegations of forced labor in its Xinjiang-based plant, which operates as a joint venture with SAIC. Nevertheless, human rights organizations and United Nations experts have accused the company's suppliers of engaging in such practices. Shareholders, including Deka Investment and Union Investment, have called for an independent external audit of the plant and its suppliers to ensure no forced labor is present in the vehicles sold by Volkswagen.
Beyond the protests, Volkswagen faced criticism during the annual meeting regarding declining sales in China, competition from Tesla, and the shortcomings of its software unit, Cariad. Concerns were also raised about the ability of group CEO Oliver Blume to manage both Volkswagen and Porsche. The company has acknowledged these concerns and expressed its commitment to addressing them.
Sources: Bloomblerg, DW
