{
  "id": 6138865,
  "title": "Volkswagen to convert car plant for Israeli defence group Rafael",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/volkswagen-to-convert-car-plant-for-israeli-defence-group-rafael-6138865",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T11:56:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/business/2026/09/07/volkswagen-to-convert-car-plant-for-israeli-defence-group-rafael"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen announced on Monday that one of its plants will be transformed to produce defense equipment for the Israeli firm Rafael after vehicle production concludes at the site in Osnabrück, northwest Germany, by 2027. The struggling automaker decided to sell the Osnabrück plant to Aurelius Capital, based in Tel Aviv, alongside the German state of Lower Saxony, a significant VW shareholder, according to a statement released by VW.\n\nVolkswagen CEO Oliver Blume emphasized that this step marks a crucial transition towards a new industrial future for the site. Blume reiterated the company's commitment to the Osnabrück location. Struggling with weak demand, Volkswagen had previously announced plans to cease vehicle production at the Osnabrück facility by 2027. As per the deal, at least 1,200 jobs will be retained at the factory, as confirmed by the works council of VW.\n\nThe transformation of the plant will ensure the provision of work for 1,200 employees, according to VW's works council. Additionally, the fate of four other German factories remains uncertain. The automotive conglomerate, which encompasses brands such as Audi, Porsche, and Seat, is grappling with intense competition from China and a challenging transition towards electric vehicles. In a recent agreement, management and unions finalized the layoff of 50,000 more jobs across the group, bringing the cumulative number of positions to be eliminated in the forthcoming years to 100,000.",
  "summary": "The carmaker will sell the Osnabrueck plant to Tel Aviv-based Aurelius Capital and Lower Saxony, with Rafael Advanced Defence Systems planning an initial air defence project.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}