Pressure in China helps convince Volkswagen it’s time to change

By DAVID McHUGH, AP Business Writer FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Volkswagen’s sweeping restructuring underlines the force of the China shock hitting Germany’s economy as the world’s biggest car market, short years ago a major profit center, rapidly becomes a major competitive challenge. The stiff headwinds from China facing Germany’s largest carmaker helped break a logjam on the board of directors and convince employee, union and local government officials that Volkswagen needed rapid change. The plan announced Thursday will include the loss of 50,000 jobs and probably four German auto plants where manufacturing costs can no longer compete. Board members representing…