Management at the Audi car factory in the Brussels municipality of Vorst say that no new models will be built at the plant. The news came during a meeting of the factory’s Works Council on Tuesday afternoon. The unions that represent those that work at Audi Brussels say that the decision not to build any new Audi or Volkswagen model there spells the end for the factory.
During Tuesday’s meeting the unions were told by management that no new models would be produced at Audi Brussels and that production capacity of existing models will not be transferred there from other plants during the coming years.
The unions are demanding clarity about possible alternatives for the factory. It is hoped that either another project from within the Volkswagen Group will be assigned to Audi Brussels or another company might wish to take over the plant. This will be discussed in two weeks’ time at the next Works Council meeting.
The unions are demanding detailed information on the alternative courses of action that might be taken by the Volkswagen Group and a list of companies that are considered to be potential buyers.
The unions were also told that factory’s manager Volker Germann is leaving Audi Brussels and will be be succeeded by Thomas Bogus. The company has since confirmed this in a press release.
Production at the plant is due restart tomorrow (Wednesday 4 September). However, the unions now expect that will not be the case.
Restructuring
In early July, Audi Brussels announced 1,400 job cuts this year as management plans to end production of the Q8 e-tron car early. The German carmaker is struggling with overcapacity and the Brussels plant has higher production costs than other sites.
More than 1,100 jobs may be lost during the course of next year with the final few hundred jobs at the factory possibly disappearing at the end of 2025. Staff at Audi Brussels will hold a demonstration in the capital on Monday 16 September.