Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) is confident that the VW plants in Zwickau and Chemnitz in Saxony will remain in operation. Kretschmer told the magazine "Auto Motor und Sport" that VW CEO Oliver Blume, Supervisory Board Chairman Hans Dieter Pötsch and his Lower Saxony counterpart Olaf Lies (SPD) had made statements and commitments to this effect.
"I have a clear idea of VW's problems. But I also have the confidence and complete trust that what we have discussed is valid and that Zwickau-Mosel and Chemnitz will continue to be important Volkswagen locations in the coming decades," emphasized Kretschmer.
Volkswagen was the first factory in Zwickau to switch completely to the production of electric cars. However, demand for electric vehicles is weakening. The Chemnitz engine plant produces combustion engines.
"Major loss of confidence" among employees
A job guarantee is in place at VW until 2030. In the past, Group CEO Blume had repeatedly promised to take care of Zwickau. However, the plant will have to hand over models to other VW locations for the foreseeable future.
Kretschmer said that he could understand the uncertainty among the workforce. After initial skepticism, the employees had shown great commitment to the switch to electromobility. "And now, of course, they are very disappointed that their efforts have not led to them feeling secure during the crisis. That is already a great loss of confidence," said Kretschmer.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
