> Unions have immense clout at VW[1], where labour representatives hold half the seats on the supervisory board and are, in theory, legally entitled to hold strikes from Dec. 1 as a tool to further escalate the conflict.<p>This is an underrated factor in Volkswagen's inability to focus on electric cars. Volkswagen once had a CEO who wanted to refocus the company, who was replaced by a hydrogen advocate with the votes of labour representatives[2].<p>[1]: <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/volkswagen-law-unique-structure-behind-german-carmakers-labour-clash-2024-09-04/" rel="nofollow">https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/volkswage...</a><p>[2]: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/22/23274382/volkswagen-ceo-herbert-diess-replace-porsche-oliver-blume" rel="nofollow">https://www.theverge.com/2022/7/22/23274382/volkswagen-ceo-h...</a>