Unions have been left surprised after Audi Brussels has confirmed that there are no plans to produce its flagship car model at its Forest site in Brussels beyond 2025.
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00:00Employees at the Audi plant in Brussels did not return to work this week after the summer
00:06break.
00:07This is their reaction to the announcement by the parent company Volkswagen that they
00:11would no longer be needed for the assembly of any models beyond 2025.
00:17The Belgian side produces a technological flagship, the Q8 e-tron SUV, a top-of-the-range
00:23electric car.
00:25But citing failing demand and high production costs, management has decided to take radical
00:30measures.
00:33More than 3,000 jobs are at risk, not to mention several hundred subcontractors.
00:38Many workers are bitterly disappointed.
00:58But the management says that closure is not on the agenda and that other avenues are being
01:02explored.
01:04There are still a number of possibilities, a number of avenues of thought.
01:07One of those avenues of thought is, for example, that we look to be able to integrate certain
01:11projects here with us on the site.
01:14To give an example, we could think of producing parts for other factories.
01:20And besides that, there is also the avenue of talking to investors, potential investors.
01:26And we will sit around the table with that if it becomes more concrete.
01:31But I can't tell you much about that yet.
01:33Volkswagen is Europe's leading automotive group.
01:36This week it announced a cost-cutting plan.
01:39For the first time in its history, the company is planning to close two factories in Germany
01:44and make people redundant in order to face up to competition and adapt to their markets.
02:03A major demonstration by Audi Brussels workers is scheduled for 16 September in the Belgian
02:15capital.
02:16Delegates from Volkswagen's German unions are planning to join the protest.