The head of Audi’s works council, Jörg Schlagbauer, is emphasizing the need for assurances regarding German facilities as the company evaluates the potential construction of a new U.S. plant. Schlagbauer stated that any decision to establish a U.S. facility driven by political considerations must not come at the expense of employment or production levels within Germany.
This demand comes after the works council and Audi’s management reached an agreement in March following difficult negotiations regarding a comprehensive workforce reduction. The “Future Agreement” outlines potential job cuts of up to 7,500 positions by 2033. The agreement also includes investment commitments for Audi’s German plants in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm, alongside an extension of existing capacity planning at both locations. Specifically, the agreement guarantees long-term production of 450,000 vehicles at Ingolstadt and 225,000 vehicles at Neckarsulm.
Schlagbauer insists these production commitments must be maintained even if a new plant is built in the United States, requesting a formal, written guarantee. He stated that if a product were to be shifted from a current Audi location in Germany to the potential U.S. plant, a replacement product would be required to maintain employment levels.
