VW’s Bratislava plant saved 600 million euros across three brands. CEO Wolfram Kirchert says the site builds Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche models on one line.
For Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, that scale means fewer decision makers control more of the volume.
Kirchert also points to the plant’s role in ramping up the electric Cayenne alongside combustion models. That proves one site now carries decisions for multiple platforms. Mobileye will fit cloud enhanced ADAS across several Stellantis brands from 2027, sharing Road Experience Management data across the group.
The savings are real, but they sit on fewer buying decisions than before.
One phone call could move your volume to a different site.
The supplier who stays on the next platform checks three things:
How many of your parts sit on a single brand programme only, because that exposure narrows fast if volume shifts.
Whether your Tier 1 buys for one brand or several, since a multi brand buyer reallocates call offs fast.
Whether a multi brand plant could switch suppliers without telling you first, since decisions now sit above the plant floor.
Is your order book resting on one brand relationship past 2027?
Christian put together a short read that maps where suppliers stand when platform sourcing moves to group level. Worth five minutes before your next customer review.