Just the other day, Reuters, citing an informed person, reported that Chinese officials and automakers are considering buying VW plants in Germany, which the company had previously intended to close, but later changed its plans under pressure from unions.
The source also explained that the Chinese side's position will depend on the new German government after the February elections. Another source told the agency that employees of one of the closed plants are not against working in a joint venture with China, but on condition that the VW brand is preserved.
Now, a Volkswagen representative called reports of the sale of plants in Germany to China speculation and rumors. Claims that Volkswagen could sell several of its factories in Germany, which are preparing to close, to Chinese companies are absolutely speculation.
At the same time, VW hinted that options for creating joint ventures with a “third party” are possible, Christopher House, head of the automotive giant's strategic and financial communications department, explained that the Chinese side's position will depend on the new German government after the February elections.
Another source for the agency said that employees of one of the closed factories were not against working in a joint venture with China, but on condition that the VW brand be preserved. “This is our position: we care about the responsible treatment of employees in our factories. That is why we do not comment on such speculation“, said Haus.
According to him, Volkswagen's position is that the Osnabrück plant, after the cessation of production in 2027 of the only car produced there - the VW T-Roc, will continue to be used for the company's needs.
“Volkswagen AG is working on alternative options. In particular, the possibility of Volkswagen AG participating in concepts with third parties is being considered. For both plants, the goal should be to find a viable solution that takes into account the interests of the company and its employees“, he added.
Relations between Germany and the PRC have cooled amid statements by the German government about the need to avoid dependence on China and Berlin's criticism of the PRC's domestic policy. In 2023, German Foreign Minister Analene Berbock said that a Russian victory in the conflict in Ukraine would be “a sign for the dictators of this world like Xi Jinping“.
Buying factories from China in the EU would allow the country to avoid tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. In 2024, several major trade disputes arose between China and the EU, called “trade wars“ in the media. On October 29, the EU finally approved the introduction of additional tariffs on imports of electric vehicles from China: depending on the manufacturer, they amount to up to 35.3%.
Currently, the largest European automaker Volkswagen, which owns car brands such as Porsche, Audi and Skoda, is experiencing a decline in sales amid increasing competition from Chinese companies. The management of the German car giant plans to close several factories, but has faced resistance from trade unions.
Earlier, the IG Metall trade union announced that it had concluded lengthy negotiations with Volkswagen, after which, as part of the Christmas deal, the concern promised not to cut production, employees and wages, but later announced that it would cut 35 thousand jobs by 2030.
In Germany, the company employs about 120 thousand people in ten plants. Previously, Volkswagen did not plan to lay off or close production facilities in Germany in the name of savings. Now, however, according to the head of the concern Oliver Blume, this is necessary because the new course towards savings is related to the desire of a number of competitors to establish themselves in Europe and the decline in Germany's competitiveness.
