Report: Chinese investors interested in VW plants
Volkswagen is still looking for concepts for the plants in Dresden and OsnabrĂĽck. Allegedly, Chinese investors are now also showing interest in the sites.
Future open: The ID.3 has been undergoing final assembly at the "Gläserne Manufaktur" in Dresden since 2021.
(Image: Volkswagen AG)
According to a media report, China is keeping an eye on German production facilities that are to be closed, and is particularly interested in VW sites. This was reported by the Reuters news agency, citing a person familiar with the matter. The Volkswagen Group speaks of "speculation" and would not comment on this when asked.
By taking over a factory in Germany, Chinese car manufacturers could facilitate their market access and increase their political influence. By producing in an EU country, a manufacturer could also circumvent European punitive tariffs on electric cars from China.
VW: "Speculation"
Whether there are already concrete talks with an interested party about a location in Germany is completely unclear. According to Reuters, an investment will also largely depend on the new German government and its attitude towards China. A potential investor for a German plant would also have to obtain approvals from the German government, the Chinese government and European supervisory authorities.
"We are concerned with the responsible treatment of employees in our plants," explained a VW spokesperson when asked. "We therefore do not comment on such speculation."
At Volkswagen, the future of the plants in Dresden and OsnabrĂĽck remains open. Following the latest wage agreement shortly before Christmas 2024, production at the "Transparent Factory" in Dresden will cease at the end of 2025. In OsnabrĂĽck, the T-Roc will only continue to roll off the production line until mid-2027.
"We have generally said that we are committed to continuing to use the OsnabrĂĽck site," explained the Group spokesperson. The company is also working on "alternative options for Dresden. This also includes the possibility of Volkswagen AG participating in a third-party concept."
Alternatives for Dresden and OsnabrĂĽck?
After lengthy negotiations, the VW Group and IG Metall agreed on a new collective agreement at the end of last year. According to this agreement, around 35,000 jobs are to be cut in the Group over the coming years. However, there will be no compulsory redundancies.
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Production capacity at the German VW plants is to be reduced by over 700,000 vehicles. This is to be achieved through a "solidarity-based" distribution of production to the various locations. Nevertheless, vehicle production in Dresden will end at the end of the year. VW is also looking for a follow-up concept for OsnabrĂĽck, where production will cease from mid-2027.
Group sister company Audi is also closing a plant this year. Production of the Q8 e-tron at the plant near the Belgian capital of Brussels will end in February. Around 3,000 employees will lose their jobs without company representatives and the works council being able to agree on a social plan. Efforts to save the plant with an investor also failed.
(vbr)
