BMW is planning to cut as many as 8,000 jobs in Germany, according to reports, in the latest sign of Europe’s largest carmakers reducing costs under pressure from Chinese rivals. BMW’s total workforce is about 160,000. Several manufacturers – including Volkswagen, Stellantis and Ford – have turned to partnerships with Chinese rivals to help them build and sell in Europe. Photograph: Ralph Orlowski/ReutersVolkswagen, Germany’s largest carmaker by volume, confirmed on Friday that it would cut as many as 100,000 jobs from its total workforce of 650,000. The Stuttgart-based company reported a €1.4bn (£1.2bn) profit before tax on Wednesday, up from €1.1bn a year earlier.