Future of the VW plant Zwickau: Hope for new models and jobs

Future of the VW plant Zwickau: Hope for new models and jobs

Zwickau, Deutschland - The automotive industry in Saxony is currently in focus. Saxony's Minister of Economics Dirk Panter (SPD) is optimistic about the future of the Volkswagenwerk in Zwickau-Mosel. In a recent exchange with VW board members, it was assured that automotive production at the location will continue in the coming years and that at least one production line and two layers will be preserved. Minister Panter emphasizes the crucial role of the cost goals that the group management set before Christmas 2024. These have to be met to ensure that new models can come to Saxony. For the Zwickau location, he makes it clear that automotive production remains the core business, even if there are opportunities in the circular economy and the battery preparation, which, however, cannot replace traditional production. He is supported in his efforts by Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU), who is forced to maintain the jobs in the Volkswagenwerk.

Not everything is rosy. Dirk Vogel, Manager of the Network Automobile supplier Saxony (AMZ), puts two fire -eating topics on the table: Volkswagen's relocations of production could endanger around 20,000 jobs in the supply industry. Around 50,000 people work in this area in Saxony, and the withdrawal of the electrical models ID.3 and Cupra Born from Zwickau's production is regarded as a clear weakening of the location. These relocations could de-degraded the Zwickau plant into an Audi location. Ultimately, the production conditions no longer draw for many suppliers, which poses major challenges for politics and industry.

the uncertainty and the look ahead

So what's next for the Saxons? IG Metall has already raised the alarm and is calling for more political support for the transformation of the auto industry in Germany. Because: Every fourth industrial workplace in East Germany depends on the automotive industry. A total of 51,000 people are employed in the East German car factories who have hope for a stable future in the truest sense of the word

The employment figures in various East German works are quite impressive:

The challenges are immense, because 95% of the companies will have to revise their production conditions in the next few years. This affects small companies with a maximum of 250 employees who often find it difficult to keep up with the big competitors. Especially in Saxony, where 43% of jobs are localized in the automotive industry, this could lead to de-industrialization that would suffer massive social and economic consequences.

It remains to be hoped that the actors in politics and business have a good hand to secure the future of the Zwickau location. The dialogue must be intensified in order to find the relevant solutions for the challenges of our time - because time is urging! The developments in the automotive industry are rapid and require a rethink and new concepts that are not yet in sight. The coming months will be decisive.