Volkswagen faces labor unrest as 6,000 Audi employees protest possible closure of a key German factory amid broader industry restructuring.
Around 6,000 Audi workers demonstrated in Neckarsulm, Germany, against the potential closure of their plant as Volkswagen evaluates restructuring plans. The automaker’s CEO has warned that four German facilities, including Neckarsulm, could shut after 2030 without alternative solutions.
The protest follows BMW’s recent announcement of thousands of job cuts, highlighting pressures from rising costs, Chinese competition, and U.S. tariffs. Volkswagen has proposed alternatives like defense partnerships or producing Chinese models in Germany but has not finalized decisions.
Local officials and workers have called the closure a disaster, citing economic and social risks. Negotiations with labor representatives are expected to intensify in the coming months.