Volkswagen to shutter Brussels EV factory, sparking union backlash

Volkswagen has announced the closure of its Audi plant in Brussels, Belgium, just days after revealing plans to shutter three factories in Germany. The Brussels factory, which produces the Audi Q8 E-Tron electric SUV, is slated to cease operations on February 28, 2025.

The closure will result in the loss of approximately 3,000 jobs, prompting strong opposition from unions and raising questions about the future of EV production in Europe. While Volkswagen maintains that it explored all viable options, unions argue that the company has been too quick to dismiss potential solutions.

The Brussels plant has become a symbol of a broader debate surrounding the transition to electric vehicles. Critics contend that European automakers, including Volkswagen, are overly focused on producing large, expensive electric SUVs like the Audi Q8 E-Tron, which has a starting price of around $89,000. This strategy, they argue, neglects the needs of the average consumer and hinders the mass adoption of EVs.

Volkswagen's decision to close the Brussels factory comes amid a challenging period for the automaker. The company has experienced a significant decline in sales in China, its largest market, while also facing increased competition from Chinese EV manufacturers such as BYD, which are rapidly expanding into the European market.

In September, Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen, expressed its intention to discontinue production of the Q8 E-Tron and put the Brussels factory up for sale. Despite attracting interest from 26 parties, Volkswagen claims that none of the offers presented a viable solution for the plant's future.

The closure of the Brussels factory is a blow to Belgium's automotive industry and has sparked widespread protests. Unions have organized rallies and threatened further strikes, demanding that Volkswagen reconsider its decision and prioritize the preservation of jobs.

Via