Volkswagen Says Cost Cuts Are Urgently Needed as Its Earnings Decline Sharply

BERLIN—Volkswagen said significant cost cuts are urgently needed as it reported a steep decline in third-quarter earnings on Wednesday and faced employee representatives angry at the possibility of the automaker’s first plant closures in Germany. The company reported net profit of 1.58 billion euros ($1.7 billion) for the July-September period, a 64 percent decline from the 4.35 billion euros it earned a year earlier. Revenue was only marginally lower, slipping 0.5 percent to 78.49 billion euros. The figures came two days after the head of Volkswagen’s works council said management had informed employee representatives that it wants to close at least three plants in Germany. The company hasn’t publicly detailed its plans....