Less demand for e-cars: Audi considers closing the plant in Brussels

The Audi plant in Brussels is facing an uncertain future, which is why the company has initiated a restructuring of the site. Audi cites a global "decline in customer orders in the electric full-size segment" as the reason. The company is therefore considering discontinuing production of the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron models ahead of schedule. These are the only models currently being produced in Brussels. For the site, which currently employs around 3,000 people, the discontinuation of production could mean the end. In addition, there are "structural challenges at the Brussels site", which lead to comparatively high production costs.

Another reason cited by the company includes "high logistics costs" at the Brussels site. "Overall, this leads to high production costs in Brussels compared to other locations," the press release states.

Perspective demanded

The employee representatives at Audi AG are calling for a sustainable future for the plant. "The Audi management must take responsibility for the site. We hope that a viable and sustainable solution will be worked out in the course of the decision, in the consultation process that has now been initiated," says Rita Beck, spokesperson for the Audi Committee in the European VW Group Works Council.

"The announcement of the intention is not yet a final decision. Nevertheless, this news is very moving for the workforce in Brussels and for me," Volker Germann explains, CEO of Audi Brussels. The VW Group Works Council called for a "future-proof perspective for the plant" and the colleagues in Brussels. Audi did not provide any further details, such as how long the process might take. In the course of the information and consultation process, the company management will discuss solutions together with the responsible social partners and examine alternatives in detail.

(mack)