Ford said that LG Chem's assertion that it can replace SK Innovation as a supplier is not "credible" given EV battery supply shortages and the long development period required for EVs.
VW spokesman said "the background is that the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on car markets and the situation is a different one from pre-corona."
The launch price makes the ID.3 eligible for up to 9,000 euros in electric car incentives after Germany earlier this month doubled electric car subsidies for vehicles costing less than 40,000 euros.
The former BMW executive is developing a habit of opening his mouth just to change feet. Last year an agonisingly ill-advised Nazi joke at an internal event attracted widespread criticism.
Chief Executive Herbert Diess, who has embarked on radical reforms of the multi-brand carmaker, may relinquish his leadership of the VW brand but retain his position as group CEO, the sources said.
"There were general deliberations about what further cost measures could be taken to respond to the pandemic," the spokesman told Reuters. "There are no concrete decisions yet."
Blume will be moved to the VW brand to help the company get a grip on production issues with the VW ID3 electric car and the Golf 8, the auto industry publication said on Tuesday.