Volkswagen: VW stoppt Produktionsprojekt „Gamechanger“

Berlin - The Volkswagen works council has criticized a planned switch to large castings for production in Wolfsburg, deeming it a "flagrant breach of the wage agreement signed in December 2024." According to Daniela Cavallo, the works council president, the decision to abandon the project was made for cost reasons, despite the new vehicles still being built on the future SSP platform.

The company management justified the move as a revelation of corporate thinking focused on short-term returns rather than the future viability of the group. Volkswagen sources confirmed that the manufacturing concept as planned would not be realized, citing the current economic situation of the company and the need to review all investments.

The decision also means the construction of a large casting center in Wolfsburg will not proceed. The development of the electric future SSP platform remains unaffected by this decision. The company remains committed to making the next generation of production in all factories simpler, more efficient, and more competitive. The management had agreed with the works council in December 2024 to modernize the home plant in Wolfsburg and switch to production methods such as large casting to prepare for the construction of electric models like the electric Golf or T-Roc.

In return, the combustion engine Golf was to be moved to Mexico. Cavallo stated that workers' representatives demanded clarification from the supervisory council regarding the impact of the end of the "Gamechanger project" on personnel needs and production volume. Until they have transparency on the details, the combustion engine Golf will not leave Wolfsburg, she said.