The IG Metall union has proposed a future fund and wage concessions to aid Volkswagen in its financial crisis. The initiative includes 1.5 billion euros in salary savings through postponed wage increases and aims to prevent layoffs at underutilized sites by funding reduced working hours. While experts view this as a significant step, the path to a consensus remains challenging, with essential negotiations still ahead. Both sides express cautious optimism as Volkswagen faces overcapacity issues and the need for substantial investments in digitalization and electrification.