BERLIN— Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Herbert Diess pledged to build a future electric vehicle at the company’s flagship German plant in a bid to head off an escalating conflict with VW’s powerful labor leaders that has thrust the firm’s future into uncertainty.
Europe’s largest car maker and one of Germany’s biggest employers is in the midst of an accelerated transition to electric mobility. But the rapid pace of the changes and frustration at recent production stops due to a shortage of chips have caused a backlash among workers.
