Audi vs Volkswagen

Audi begins production of the A2 e-tron; CEO unveils new electric model in Paris; Martin Sander to lead Sales and Marketing

Audi has begun production of the A2 e-tron in Ingolstadt, with development time shortened by 21 months. CEO Gernot Döllner unveiled the A2 e-tron in Paris, emphasizing its efficiency and everyday usability. Additionally, Martin Sander will take over Sales and Marketing at Audi effective October 1, 2026.

Chery hires Audi manager for Germany brand building

Chinese automaker Chery has appointed Chayne Brand, a long-time Audi marketing manager, to the newly created position of Head of Brand Marketing & Communication in Germany. Brand started the role on September 1st. The article is largely paywalled, with the full details restricted. However, the key event is a personnel appointment for brand building, which is relevant to marketing and advertising as it involves leading marketing strategy for a brand in the German market.

• Chery hires Audi marketing manager Chayne Brand for Germany.
• Brand becomes Head of Brand Marketing & Communication.
• Role is newly created and started on September 1, 2026.

Volkswagen Q2 Profit Falls One Third

Volkswagen reported a significant profit decline in Q2 2026, with after-tax profit falling 32.9% to €1.54 billion versus €2.29 billion in Q2 2025. Deliveries across the group fell about 9% to 2.08 million vehicles, while sales in China dropped by more than one third to 424,300 units. The company said it is cutting its sales outlook and plans new cost-saving measures including reviewing up to 50,000 jobs worldwide and four German plants, in addition to previously announced reductions through 2030. The plans have drawn resistance from the works council, unions and the state of Lower Saxony.

• Volkswagen Group after-tax profit in Q2 2026 fell 32.9% to €1.54 billion.
• Volkswagen's after-tax profit in Q2 2025 was €2.29 billion.
• Group deliveries fell about 9% to 2.08 million vehicles in April–June 2026.

Adform becomes OpenAI tech platform partner for ChatGPT ads in Europe.

Adform has been announced as one of OpenAI's technology platform partners as ChatGPT Ads expands into Europe, enabling advertisers to plan, control, and measure chat-based ad campaigns within its existing omnichannel platform. This integration provides a unified view of the customer journey by connecting conversions from ChatGPT with other Adform campaigns. Volkswagen and Vodafone are among the first companies testing the access, focusing on brand presence and channel performance. The rollout, which began in August 2026 across 31 European markets, supports ad formats on free and lower-cost plans, with paid plans remaining ad-free. Advertisers can utilize CPM, CPC, conversion optimization, geo-targeting, and custom audiences, while OpenAI ensures ads are clearly labeled and do not influence ChatGPT responses. Adform's partnership aligns with its broader AI-driven advertising strategy, including MCP support and collaboration with IAB Tech Lab on agentic standards.

• Adform is a technology partner for OpenAI's ChatGPT Ads in Europe, enabling ad campaign management and measurement.
• The partnership allows advertisers to buy ChatGPT inventory through Adform's platform and connect conversions with other campaigns.
• Volkswagen and Vodafone are early testers of ChatGPT Ads.

Volkswagen Sells Osnabrück Plant for Rafael Defense Technology

Volkswagen is selling its Osnabrück plant to Aurelius Capital, an Israeli investment firm, and the German state of Lower Saxony. The site will be converted from car manufacturing to producing components for air defense systems, with Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems as the anchor customer. The deal involves a letter of intent, subject to board and regulatory approvals. The conversion aims to address the plant's future amid Volkswagen's restructuring, which includes significant job cuts. Lower Saxony is contributing around €200 million. The plant will become a 'competence center for security and defense solutions,' with plans for Iron Dome-related manufacturing. The move has drawn criticism from peace groups but is seen as a way to preserve jobs and repurpose idle capacity in the defense sector.

• Volkswagen signs letter of intent to sell Osnabrück plant to Aurelius Capital and Lower Saxony.
• Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is the anchor customer for air defense components.
• Lower Saxony invests around €200 million in the deal.