[jillesvangurp]

They may have been planning for years but they also have been in denial for years. This is not more of the same for them: they have to change. Most of their existing production capacity is a liability rather than an asset. It's something they are going to have to get rid off/shut down (and that's not cheap) and it is starting to look like they'll be doing that years/decades ahead of what they hoped would be the timeline. Tesla is forcing their hands here by shipping in volume before everyone thought/hoped that was possible.

Their distribution network is a source of extra cost. Tesla eliminated that from the equation. There are no third party dealers. Dealers take a margin cut. With VW, that margin comes out of VWs pocket. Tesla doesn't have this.

The drive train VW has developed has to now prove itself in the real world. Early indications are that it is a combination of more expensive to make and not as performant as what Tesla has. Tesla has done well here and VW is catching up.