Volkswagen chief tells shareholders car giant performing well in hard times

Shareholders to rubber stamp a roughly €9.6bn special dividend following the listing of Porsche

CEO of VW and Porsche car maker Oliver Blume, right, and finance CEO Lutz Meschke ring the bell during the start of Porsche's market listing in September.

Volkswagen shareholders renewed their criticism of CEO Oliver Blume's dual roles, even as they prepared to rubber stamp a roughly €9.6bn special dividend following the listing of Porsche.

Mr Blume, who became group chief executive in September, has continued as CEO of luxury brand Porsche even after its listing, prompting concerns among some investors about the pressures on his time and potential conflicts of interest.