Volkswagen to close three plants in Germany, tens of thousands of workers to lose jobs

(Patria) - German automotive concern Volkswagen plans to close at least three plants in Germany and lay off tens of thousands of employees, the VW trade union branch announced yesterday in Wolfsburg.

- Volkswagen management wants to close at least three plants in Germany, claiming that the concern's survival is impossible without these measures - said the Chairwoman of the Volkswagen Works Council, Daniela Cavallo, to the gathered workers at VW's main plant in Wolfsburg.

She explained that the concern's management also plans to lay off tens of thousands of workers in all plants in Germany. Although it is not mentioned which plants might be closed, German media speculate about the closure of the plant in Osnabrück, where the Karmann body factory was once located.

Volkswagen management refused to comment on the public statements of the works council representative, but announced that VW is at a crossroads and that the situation is serious, reports Hina.

Volkswagen has been experiencing financial failures for some time, primarily due to poor sales of electric cars. Industry media state that VW's electric models are too expensive and outdated compared to Chinese competition.

As early as September, management announced measures to make VW competitive again. Volkswagen announced at the time that the concern sells half a million fewer cars annually than necessary.

The Volkswagen concern employs around 670,000 people worldwide, of which 295,000 are in Germany.