The automotive supply sector is bracing for significant job losses following Bosch’s recent announcement of 13,000 redundancies, according to industry analyst Ferdinand Dudenhöffer. Dudenhöffer anticipates a ripple effect across the supply chain, potentially impacting up to 100,000 jobs within the sector by 2030.
Dudenhöffer’s assessment highlights a particular vulnerability among mid-sized and smaller suppliers, as well as those involved in machinery manufacturing. He warned that insolvencies within these smaller companies are a distinct possibility.
The analyst’s projections reflect a broader trend that began with pressures on automotive manufacturers themselves. Data indicates a substantial decline in employment within both automotive manufacturers and their suppliers. In 2019, the sector employed 834,000 individuals in Germany. By August 2025, the figure had fallen to 720,000, representing a decrease of 114,000 jobs – a 14% reduction over six years.
Expressing a pessimistic outlook regarding job recovery within Germany, Dudenhöffer stated concerns about the country’s competitiveness and cost structure, suggesting that the potential for those roles to return remains highly unlikely.
