Volkswagen Group will prioritise forward-looking products and technologies to meet 'enormous' challenges.

Matthias Müller, CEO of Volkswagen Group, and Bernd Osterloh, chairman of the Group Works Council of Volkswagen AG, yesterday agreed on the further procedure for investment and capacity planning today.

A series of talks between the board of management and the employee representative body will take place over the next 10days in order to find a common path for the future of the company.

In September, the Volkswagen Group admitted installing a piece of software designed to cheat emissions tests in 11 million of its diesel cars worldwide, including Seat, Škoda and Audi models as well as Volkswagen cars.

Müller said: “In the present difficult situation we must jointly make decisions that factor in economics just as much as employment.

"I attach great importance to the views and experience of our works councils. In light of the changed circumstances, we are facing an ambitious task.

"We will be prioritising forward-looking products and technologies."

Osterloh added: “That is a strong signal for the workforce. We will join him on the road to the future because we believe he is a reliable partner.

"We are seeking shared decisions in the interest of the company, shareholders and employees.

"The challenges are enormous, but the workforce will stand behind the company as long as we succeed in agreeing on a balanced package of investments, economy measures and forward-looking projects."