Volkswagen weathers pandemic with $10.7 billion profit
Volkswagen said Friday it made better-than-expected profit of $10.7 billion after tax in 2020 despite the pandemic. The world’s No. 2 automaker said the rapid recovery of China, its largest single market, and resilient sales of luxury vehicles helped the bottom line.
The company gave an upbeat outlook for this year, saying it would carry momentum from the stronger second half of the year over into earnings going forward. It said it was striving for earnings in the top part of its forecast range of 5.0-6.5% returns on sales, and predicted sales revenue would be “significantly higher,” assuming successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic.
O’FALLON, Mo. - Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt announced Friday that no charges will be filed in the 2017 death of Tory Sanders, a Black inmate at a rural jail who died under similar circumstances to George Floyd – after a white law enforcement officer’s knee was pressed on his neck.
Schmitt, a Republican, said in a news release that there is not enough evidence to prove first- or second-degree murder, which are the only options because the statute of limitations has expired on other potential charges, such as manslaughter.
“The death of Tory Sanders is tragic and heartbreaking, particularly for his family and his loved ones, and my heart goes out to them,” Schmitt said in the statement.
Schmitt’s predecessor, Josh Hawley, also investigated Sanders’ death but declined to file charges.