Thousands of German autoworkers walked off the job on Wednesday as union IG Metall staged nationwide protests against mass layoffs and plant closures at Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz. The action coincided with a Volkswagen supervisory board meeting to discuss new cost-cutting plans that could eliminate up to 100,000 jobs worldwide, according to Manager Magazin. Four German plants — Hanover, Emden, Zwickau, and Neckarsulm — face potential closure.
The largest turnout drew roughly 1,500 workers in Emden, while about 500 gathered at Volkswagen's Wolfsburg headquarters. In Baden-Württemberg, over 200 vehicles joined a convoy through Stuttgart as workers from Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz voiced opposition. Union chairwoman Christiane Benner said IG Metall would resist the planned closures.
State Premier Cem Özdemir urged Volkswagen chief Oliver Blume to preserve the Neckarsulm Audi plant and its 15,000 jobs. Vehicle production at the threatened sites could be wound down by 2034, Der Spiegel reported. Volkswagen has already announced the elimination of 50,000 German jobs by 2030.