ZWICKAU (dpa-AFX) - Volkswagen employees and their families have demonstrated for the long-term future of automotive production in Zwickau. " This region and the state of Saxony grew up with car manufacturing, " said Works Council Chairman Mario Albert, adding that it must continue to exist here in the future. His deputy, Mike Rösler, added: " Let us all fight together to ensure that after December 31, 2030, we still have a Volkswagen logo on the gate and are still building Volkswagen products here. "
A recent report regarding a further savings program at Volkswagen, totaling approximately 60 billion euros, has caused significant concern. According to "Manager Magazin," costs are to be reduced by 20 percent by 2028. The move is reportedly driven by sluggish sales in China and US tariffs. The collective bargaining agreement from late 2024 stipulates the socially responsible reduction of 35,000 jobs nationwide by 2030. In exchange, plant closures were ruled out.
1,200 Jobs Cut
As a result, the Zwickau car factory has also felt the impact. According to reports, 1,200 jobs have been lost since then—through age-related departures, severance agreements, and the non-renewal of fixed-term contracts. Currently, cars in Zwickau are only built in two shifts instead of the previous three. In the coming years, the plant must also transfer several models to other locations.
In return, Zwickau will receive a new business field: the circular economy. Starting in 2030, up to 15,000 vehicles per year are to be reconditioned for customers or dismantled, depending on their condition, to reuse individual components for used cars or to recover raw materials. This initiative is expected to secure approximately 1,000 jobs.
Current Overtime for Many VW Employees in Zwickau
The Zwickau Volkswagen plant exclusively builds electric cars. Currently, there is overtime on one of the two production lines. The late shift is working an extra hour, while the early shift is completing a weekly special shift. However, Albert explained that this is only a snapshot of the current situation. Rösler added that developments in the Middle East and their impact on domestic gasoline prices show that e-mobility is the future. However, he noted that further supporting measures are needed regarding charging infrastructure, electricity prices for charging, and a uniform payment system.
Employees in Zwickau will elect a new works council next week. Approximately 8,200 employees are eligible to vote. Alongside the traditionally strong IG Metall union, two other lists are competing for the 35 seats. In VW's Chemnitz engine plant, IG Metall recently secured 77 percent of the vote, winning 13 out of 17 seats. The remaining seats went to the "Bündnis freie Betriebsräte" (Alliance of Independent Works Councils)./hum/DP/mis
