The Saxon SPD is harshly criticizing the company’s top management over the impending closure of the VW plant in Zwickau. The plans of VW CEO Oliver Blume are evidence of irresponsibility. “If the only vision a top German executive has is to close plants in Germany in order to shift production to cheaper locations, then perhaps he is not a top executive, but a mismanager,” said SPD leader Henning Homann. He also serves as the spokesperson for economic and labor affairs in the SPD’s state parliamentary group.
“Cuts alone are not a strategy.”
Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) is certain that the Zwickau plant is Volkswagen’s most efficient production site. “I expect VW to present a genuine vision for Zwickau’s future, demand recognition for the employees’ performance, and appeal to the corporate social responsibility enshrined in the Group’s principles,” he emphasized: “The impression is that the company currently lacks a viable strategy for the future, because cutting costs alone is not a strategy.”
VW in Zwickau currently employs around 8,000 people. The Ministry of Economic Affairs points out that another 40,000 to 50,000 jobs at suppliers and thousands of families depend on it. “In total, more than 100,000 people in the region are directly affected.”
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