Suche
Mein Konto
VW crisis: Zwickau is fighting for jobs and the future of e-mobility!
Zwickau in focus: ZDF broadcasts live about the crisis at the VW plant. Experts discuss job cuts and impacts on the region.
VW crisis: Zwickau is fighting for jobs and the future of e-mobility!
These days the city of Zwickau is in the spotlight because it is broadcasting on October 30, 2025 ZDF morning magazine live from the Old Gasometer. The special edition “moma on site” is dedicated to the tense situation at the Volkswagen factory and shows the effects of the crisis in the auto industry on the region. Over 180 guests will be on site when presenter Eva-Maria Lemke speaks to employees, those responsible and politicians. A central issue is concern about the future of VW and its suppliers in Saxony, especially in view of the threat of job cuts.
The VW factory in Zwickau has long been considered a model location for electromobility in Germany. Billions were invested to convert the site to the production of electric cars. But the mood is subdued: supplier bottlenecks, competition from China and weak demand are affecting German automobile manufacturers Zittau newspaper reported. Only 50 to 60 percent of production capacities are currently being utilized, which leads to uncertainty and fear among many employees. “The concerns are palpable,” says VW employee Stefanie Haferkorn, particularly addressing the concerns of young parents who are worried about their jobs.
The impact on the region
Massive job cuts in the auto industry are also having an impact on people's everyday lives. Industry-wide, over 50,000 jobs were cut in one year. IG Metall warns that solutions must be found for the Zwickau plant before the consequences for the entire region become dramatic. Because over 60,000 jobs in 500 companies depend directly or indirectly on production in this plant. Michael Jacob, head of a regional supplier, confirms the uncertainty among employees and warns of possible site closures.
With a view to the future of the Audi Q4 e-tron, which will only be produced in one production line from 2027, the situation is uncertain. Audi is considering moving production to the US, adding to existing concerns. While new petrol and diesel cars will no longer be registered in the EU from 2035, demand for electric cars is also declining. Statista shows that new registrations of electric cars appear to be recovering, but are not yet stable after a sharp decline in 2023. The analysts warn of possible deindustrialization in Germany.
A look into the future
The challenges are not just limited to Zwickau. It is clear that the future of the automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation that presents new challenges not only to manufacturers, but also to the entire supplier industry. Saxony, which is very popular as a location for e-mobility, needs urgent solutions. “There is something going on,” say industry experts and are calling for urgent measures to support the sector.
The ZDF special edition will not only address the concerns of employees, but will also include current political statements, including from Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer and Zwickau's Mayor Constance Arndt. The program can also be streamed in the ZDF media library, which offers the opportunity to experience the debate about the future of car manufacturing in Germany.