Wolfsburg-based automaker Volkswagen is assessing potential opportunities in military vehicle production, according to German media.
Daniela Cavallo, head of the automaker’s works council, said the company is considering participating in defense projects as Europe seeks greater strategic autonomy.
“I believe that Germany and Europe need to become more independent in the area of defense,” Cavallo told the German Press Agency, citing growing geopolitical pressures on the region.
Vehicle Concepts Presented
As part of its early research, Volkswagen showcased military-adapted concepts at a recent defense convention in Nuremberg, which was attended by approximately 1,400 exhibitors and 26,000 investors.
Sources said that the prototypes, designated “MV.1” and “MV.2,” were developed under tight secrecy and are based on the company’s Amarok pickup and Crafter van.
The vehicles were recalibrated for tactical missions and displayed without the Volkswagen logo, instead carrying the branding of German automotive partner Diederich Engineering Systems Defense.
A third platform, the “MV.3,” is expected to be introduced in the future and potentially be based on Volkswagen’s Transporter van.
Future of Osnabrück Plant
The exploration is tied to Volkswagen’s Osnabrück factory in Lower Saxony, which employs about 2,300 workers.
Manufacturing of Porsche models at the site will end this year, followed by the T-Roc Cabriolet compact SUV in 2027.
After those operations, the company plans to sell the site or repurpose it for defense production as part of its broader modernization initiative.
“In recent months, the Volkswagen plant in Osnabrück has developed various vehicle concepts and presented them … to explore potential market opportunities and prospects,” a company spokesperson told Reuters.
“Whether and to what extent concrete projects will result from this remains to be seen.”
