VW situation is serious, costs must be lowered: CEO Blume

(ANSA) - BELGRADE, DEC 4 - "The current situation is serious, which is why we need measures to secure Volkswagen's future," Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume stated at today's company meeting in Wolfsburg. According to Blume, competitors' pressure is growing, while demand is decreasing. "And we add: labour costs in Germany have become too high," he stated. "We are all interested in a solution," he said, referring to the conflict with Ig Metall and the works council, which called a strike last Monday and have threatened to continue mobilisation. "Therefore, we must continue to negotiate in order to find a long-term solution," he concluded. (ANSA).