Sparpaket: Einigung bei VW: Weitere rund 50.000 Jobs sollen wegfallen

In a surprising agreement in Wolfsburg, the supervisory board of Volkswagen unanimously approved the cost-cutting package proposed by the management. Volkswagen aims to reduce around 50,000 jobs in the coming years to meet the targets of its transformation program, the company announced. Four plants in Emden, Zwickau, Hannover, and Neckarsulm are considered non-competitive for a phased replacement starting from 2031 to 2034, and alternative uses are being explored for these locations.

Volkswagen plans to develop a sustainable and competitive production structure concept by the end of June 2027 for its European plants. The future plan is said to lay the groundwork for Volkswagen and its brands to become more efficient, competitive, and forward-looking. The board and supervisory board consider the implementation of the 2030 Volkswagen Group's comprehensive future plan as a mandatory requirement to maintain competitiveness and secure a sustainable future.

Following extensive and constructive discussions, IG Metall and the enterprise council have stated that an escalation has been avoided. The board must now do its job. "The confrontational course and the communication of the board in recent weeks were not fruitful," said IG Metall CEO Christiane Benner and VW enterprise council chief Daniela Cavallo in a joint statement.

IG Metall and the enterprise council are confident that no plant will be abandoned, and contrary to several media reports, no plant closure is set in stone. They emphasize that now specific solutions need to be worked out for all locations, with the board still being held responsible. Two months ago, the board's cost-cutting and future plans were first discussed at the supervisory board, where they faced resistance from workers and the state.