28.02.2025 17:50
The German automotive giant Audi has locked the doors of its large factory in Brussels. This development marks the latest blow to the automotive industry, leaving thousands of workers unemployed. It has been reported that the 76-year-old production facility will be relocated to Mexico.
The German car manufacturer Audi has decided to end production at its factory located in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, which has been in operation for 76 years. This decision resulted in the transfer of production of the luxury electric vehicle model Q8 to Mexico.
REASONS FOR SUSPENDING PRODUCTION
Last July, it was announced that the Brussels factory would enter a restructuring process due to a decrease in demand. The facility, which has approximately 3,000 employees, entered a closure process because the Volkswagen Group did not allocate new models. This situation caused unrest among both employees and unions.
EMPLOYEES' REACTIONS AND MANAGEMENT'S STEPS
Before the factory's closure, workers expressed their reactions by seizing the keys of completed vehicles. Audi began searching for new investors to sell the facility, but despite more than 20 meetings, no suitable buyer was found. As a result of discussions between management and employees, it was decided to pay legal severance payments and bonuses based on the length of service to the workers.
The Brussels factory, which started production in 1949, transitioned to producing Audi models in 2004 after a long period of manufacturing Volkswagen models. Since 2018, electric Audi e-Tron models have been produced here. The facility, located in the municipality of Forest, spans an area of 54 hectares. Discussions regarding the future of the factory continue. Previously, the Renault factory in Vilvoorde, the Opel factory in Antwerp, and the Ford factory in Genk had also closed in Belgium.
IMPACT OF CHANGES IN THE GLOBAL AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR
Audi's decision to close the Brussels factory is seen as a reflection of the rapid changes in the global automotive sector and the competition in the electric vehicle market. The company is adopting a strategy of shifting production to different regions to optimize production processes and reduce costs.
A SIGNIFICANT LOSS FOR THE BELGIAN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
The closure of the factory in Brussels is viewed as a significant loss for the Belgian automotive industry. The sector has previously experienced contractions due to the closure of various car factories in the country. Audi's decision raises concerns about the future of automotive production in Belgium.