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FinanceThousands of Audi workers protest threatened plant closure
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On July 29, 2026, thousands of Audi workers protested at the Neckarsulm plant in Germany against the possible closure of the facility as part of parent company Volkswagen's restructuring plans. The protest, involving about 6,000 people according to the works council, reflects growing anxiety over job security in Germany's auto industry amid high costs, Chinese competition, and U.S. tariffs. Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume has warned that Neckarsulm is among four German plants that could close after 2030 if no alternative is found. Workers demanded clarity, while the local mayor described a potential closure as a disaster. The protest coincides with BMW also announcing thousands of job cuts. Audi has already announced plans to cut up to 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029.
Source report
By Frank Simon and Andreas Buerger Wed, July 29, 2026, 4:50 AM PDT | 2 min read
NECKARSULM, Germany, July 29 (Reuters) – Thousands of Audi workers demonstrated on Wednesday against the possible closure of the German automaker's Neckarsulm plant, as parent company Volkswagen pushes ahead with a group-wide overhaul expected to include tens of thousands of job losses.
The protest came as rival premium carmaker BMW announced thousands of job cuts—the latest blow to employment in Germany's auto industry, where high costs, growing Chinese competition, and U.S. tariffs are forcing painful restructuring.
"We are scared of factories closing and endangering our future," said Audi worker Melih Cevlik at the protest in Neckarsulm.
According to the works council, approximately 6,000 people took part in the demonstration.
Closure Would Be a 'Disaster,' Local Mayor Says
Workers demanded clarity from Volkswagen, whose CEO Oliver Blume has warned that Neckarsulm is among four German plants that could close after 2030 if no alternative solution is found.
"The staff wants clarity because they're worried about coming to work. Many families are worried, too," said Audi trainee Frank Wojko, speaking above the din of rattles waved by protesters.
Blume has sought to avoid plant closures and floated alternatives, including:
- Defence partnerships
- Production of Volkswagen's Chinese models (not currently sold in Europe) at underutilised German factories
However, no decisions have been made. The second half of the year is expected to be dominated by tense negotiations with Volkswagen's powerful labour representatives, including over a proposed doubling of job cuts to 100,000 across the group.
Site Details and Challenges
Approximately 15,000 people work at the Neckarsulm site, which produces Audi's A5, A6, and A8 models, and is also home to low-volume production of the all-electric Audi e-tron GT.
Alexander Reinhart, head of the site's works council, said allocating a high-volume electric vehicle to Neckarsulm could help secure its future.
Audi has been hit by:
- Falling sales in the once-lucrative Chinese market
- A lack of U.S. manufacturing capacity, leaving it exposed to tariffs
Last year, Audi announced plans to cut up to 7,500 jobs in Germany by 2029, mainly through early retirement and natural attrition.
Stock references: VOW.DE +1.60% | BMW.DE +0.44%
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Thousands of Audi workers protest over threatened plant closure