Saxony's Minister of Economic Affairs, Dirk Panter (SPD), has called on VW management to work with Chinese manufacturers to ensure better capacity utilization at VW plants in Germany. He said during a visit to VW’s Zwickau plant that cars for the European market could be produced here in Germany with partners with whom Volkswagen already collaborates in China. “We’re open to ideas, but not to a fire sale.”
Employees—not just in Zwickau—are growing increasingly concerned about the future of their jobs. According to a report in “Manager Magazin,” the VW Group plans to intensify its cost-cutting measures. There is talk of 100,000 jobs worldwide being cut. In addition, four German plants are reportedly at risk of closure: in addition to Zwickau, the sites in Hanover, Emden, and Neckarsulm.
