Audi Brussels spokesperson Peter D’hoore confirmed in a press release that interim contracts will not be extended, a decision that was described as tough. The challenging economic conditions and uncertainty surrounding subsidies in some markets have contributed to customer reluctance to purchase fully electric vehicles, leading to the need to adapt production at the Audi Brussels factory, which exclusively produces electric cars.
The factory in Forest focuses on building the large electric Audi Q8 e-tron, while a smaller, cheaper counterpart, the Q6 e-tron, is not manufactured there. The decision to not extend interim contracts and the resulting layoffs were communicated to the unions during a works council meeting, prompting the ABVV to issue a strike notice in hopes of negotiating a reduction in the number of dismissals.
The unexpected nature of the decision and the lack of preparatory conversations have left union representatives and employees feeling frustrated. The future of the factory in Forest is also uncertain, as the Q8 will no longer be produced there starting in 2027. Discussions with management about the allocation of a new model are ongoing, with an announcement expected in November.
The impact of these changes on the factory and its employees is significant, with potential solutions being sought to address the challenges faced by the factory and its workforce. The ABVV and other stakeholders are closely monitoring the situation and actively engaging in discussions to find a way forward.