Long-Term Job And Production Volume Guarantees Are Demanded By Audi Employees In Germany

Workers’ representatives at Audi have said they will support the opening of a factory in the United States only if management provides long-term guarantees for jobs and production volume in Germany.

The car manufacturer owned by the Volkswagen Group is considering the possibility of building its production facility in the United States of America, but the chairman of the workers’ council, Jörg Schlagbauer, believes that there is currently no real need for this factory, reports Bloomberg.

If a plant in the U.S. is needed for political reasons, it must not be built at the expense of employees and capacity in Germany, Schlagbauer said.

The decision is made at a time when US President Donald Trump’s trade measures and the reduction of support for electric vehicles are making it difficult for the Volkswagen Group’s premium brands to do business.

Weaker demand in China and more modest sales in Europe further affect the underutilization of German factories, which is why trade unions there do not want to give up domestic production.

In March, Audi reached an agreement with employee representatives to cut 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029 through severance pay and early retirement. In return, the company extended guarantees for the employment of the remaining workers until 2033.

• Also See: Audi Intends To “Revise The Combustion Engine Deadline”