Audi’s factory in Brussels, which employs around 3,000 people, could close as early as 2025, as a result of the upheaval in the European electric car market. Trade unions are calling for a major demonstration in the EU capital on Monday.
The mobilisation promises to be strong. The Belgian inter-union movement is calling for people to take to the streets in the morning to “protect industrial jobs”. Delegations from other countries, in particular from Germany’s IG Metall, are expected to join them following the announcement of an unprecedented austerity plan planned by the Volkswagen group.
The move comes at a time when the issue of competition from Chinese electric cars is a hot topic and the European Union is divided over whether to impose surcharges at the risk of provoking trade retaliation from Beijing.
Announcement of the cessation of production of the Q8 e-tron, Audi’s electric SUV
In Brussels, the mood has been between anger and dismay since Volkswagen subsidiary Audi announced in early July that it was cessating production of the Q8 e-tron SUV, due to falling orders for this high-end model of electric cars.
“We were supposed to be a pilot plant, but we were directed to crash into the wall,” cried Karim Chawki, an Audi employee interviewed by AFP.
“We hear about buyers, but we don’t know anything yet,” says Régis Lauwereyns, an employee at the paint shop.
Management confirmed at the beginning of September that no more VW Group cars would be built at the plant after the launch of the last Q8 e-tron next year. An end synonymous with the loss of thousands of jobs, as this model has been the only one assembled at Audi-Forest for years.
Work on the site did not resume at the beginning of September, after the summer break, and the conflict escalated when striking employees stole the keys to 200 cars to prevent them from leaving the factory. They eventually returned them.
In the viewfinder: high-end electrics
Among the employees who camped outside the building, several pointed out “the mistakes” of the managers, accused of having focused everything on high-end electric cars. “The Europeans have neglected the production of mid-range electric cars, while the Chinese are coming to invade us with much cheaper models that are gaining market share,” agrees Bernard Clerfayt, Minister of Employment for the Brussels region executive, contacted by AFP.
According to him, the anger of Audi employees is “very legitimate, very understandable, especially since management is not clear about its plans.” “Its financial prospects are certainly not good,” Clerfayt continues.
In the second quarter, Volkswagen, Europe’s leading car group, saw its net profit fall by 4.2% year-on-year. Sales of its Porsche and Audi cars, which generate the highest margins, fell by 9.6% and 11.3%.
For Jan Baetens, president of the Belgian Christian trade union CSC, the concern stems from the 2035 deadline, which in principle should mark the end of sales of new internal combustion engine cars in the EU in favour of fully electric cars. This provision is contested, in particular, by Germany. “We are putting pressure on people to buy electric cars, while in terms of infrastructure we are not prepared,” laments the trade unionist.
He predicts that “at least 10,000 people” will take to the streets of Brussels on Monday to challenge the European institutions over EU industrial policy and the need for investment. Audi, Brussels’ largest private employer, also employs staff from Flanders and Wallonia, the other two Belgian regions.
Trade unions have called for a national demonstration and strikes are expected in other sectors in solidarity. Brussels’ urban transport company Stib warned that its tram, bus and metro network was at risk of “major disruption” on Monday.
Source: BFM TV
