German trade magazine Automobilwoche reports that the closure of the Audi car plant in Brussels is imminent. The car plant has already survived several crises in recent decades. It’s now reported that under a global restructuring it will no longer be allocated production. The rumour has fuelled unrest among Christian trade unionists, who plan to ask the management for an explanation.
The closure of Audi Brussels that employs some 3,000 workers would form part of a global reshuffle of production at Audi and parent group Volkswagen, Automobilwoche reports. It claims Audi would like to reduce its production in Europe, making the Brussels plant redundant.
Audi Brussels built 53,555 electric cars last year. These were almost exclusively Q8 e-tron models. According to Automobilwoche, there are plans no to longer produce the Q8 e-tron in Belgium, but rather in Mexico and China.
With only one model rolling off the assembly line in Brussels, the plant is vulnerable to closure. The current allocation normally runs until 2027. For the period after that, the plant was looking forward to producing a new model. It was hoping for a role as a support plant for the Q4, but for now its sister plant in Zwickau, Germany, can handle the demand on its own.
Trade unionists worried
Audi Brussels spokesman Peter D'hoore does not want to comment on rumours. Nevertheless, the reports are causing concerns, Christian trade unionist Ronny Liedts says. He notes that volumes at the plant are already falling. That the conveyer belt will be out of production for the next two weeks is officially due to a parts shortage but, according to the union official, sales of the model are also falling.
"Together with with management we are reviewing how to organise the plant in coming years. The question is what will happen from 2027 onwards. It is clear that staff numbers will be too large". Ronny Liedts is worried about the jobs of the 500 or so interim employees.
If the Brussels plant does not get a new model from 2027 onwards, it will mean the end of the plant, Liedts explains, thinking of a worst-case scenario. The union is now seeking early clarification from the management.
Painful memories
This is not the first time there has been speculation about a closure of the Brussels car plant. This was also the case in 2005-2006, when the plant was still called Volkswagen Vorst.
VW sister brand Audi then brought relief. Brussels was allowed to build the A1, a compact city car, and was renamed Audi Brussels.
A great traddition
The factory's roots go back to a coach factory owned by a famous business family, the D'Ieterens, in the nineteenth century. Modern car production began under the impetus of Pierre D'Ieteren a few years after the Second World War. Today, D'Ieteren is still the official distributor of Volkswagen's brands, including Audi, in Belgium.