Audi Brussels plant risks closure as car model ceases production after 2025
Unions have been left surprised after Audi Brussels has confirmed that there are no plans to produce its flagship car model at its Forest site in Brussels beyond 2025.
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00:00Employees at the Audi plant in Brussels did not return to work this week after the summer
00:06break.
00:07This is their reaction to the announcement by the parent company Volkswagen that they
00:11would no longer be needed for the assembly of any models beyond 2025.
00:17The Belgian side produces a technological flagship, the Q8 e-tron SUV, a top-of-the-range
00:23electric car.
00:25But citing failing demand and high production costs, management has decided to take radical
00:30measures.
00:33More than 3,000 jobs are at risk, not to mention several hundred subcontractors.
00:38Many workers are bitterly disappointed.
00:58But the management says that closure is not on the agenda and that other avenues are being
01:02explored.
01:04There are still a number of possibilities, a number of avenues of thought.
01:07One of those avenues of thought is, for example, that we look to be able to integrate certain
01:11projects here with us on the site.
01:14To give an example, we could think of producing parts for other factories.
01:20And besides that, there is also the avenue of talking to investors, potential investors.
01:26And we will sit around the table with that if it becomes more concrete.
01:31But I can't tell you much about that yet.
01:33Volkswagen is Europe's leading automotive group.
01:36This week it announced a cost-cutting plan.
01:39For the first time in its history, the company is planning to close two factories in Germany
01:44and make people redundant in order to face up to competition and adapt to their markets.
02:03A major demonstration by Audi Brussels workers is scheduled for 16 September in the Belgian
02:15capital.
02:16Delegates from Volkswagen's German unions are planning to join the protest.