Alexander De Croo wants to find a solution for the future of Audi Brussels before the elections

Prime Minister Alexander De Croo wants to move forward “very quickly” and complete the file to ensure the future of Audi Brussels before the next election, he announced during the first meeting of the working group with representatives of the different governments and Audi, but in the absence of the trade unions .

Two weeks ago, Forestry assembly plant management announced the non-renewal of the contracts of 371 part-time workers who were on site as of April 8, the day operations resumed at the site after a three-week layoff. Additionally, the site will no longer build a successor to the current Q8 e-tron model after 2027.

The purpose of the task force is to build a case for the car manufacturer so that cars will still leave the factory after this date. “Production of the model until 2027 is guaranteed, but the question is what happens after that. This decision will be made in November“, explained Mr. De Croo before the start of the meeting, at 16, rue de la Loi. “We need to make sure we have our case ready in time to demonstrate our capabilities and see what we need to work on“.

► Read again | Audi forest: work has resumed with reduced staff, the “task force” will meet this Friday

“Competitive Factory”

The Prime Minister emphasized that Audi Brussels is a competitive factory and a “pioneer of electric cars”. “There is a lot of expertise here“, he commented. He also emphasized the fact that the factory, which employs approximately 3,000 people, is competitive compared to German factories, especially in terms of labor costs. On the other hand, he recognized the additional supply in the European automotive industry.

The head of government said the facilities around the factory could be improved, as the Forest factory is highly dependent on rail transport.

Mr De Croo wants to move very quickly with the intention of a “declaration of intent”. He wants the task force to meet “at least once and possibly twice” before the June 9 election.It would be good for the file to be ready before these options.“

In addition to the Prime Minister, the working group brings together the Federal Minister of Economy and Labor Pierre-Yves Dermagne (PS), Minister of Brussels-President Rudi Vervoort (PS), Flemish Minister of Economy and Labor Jo Brouns (CD&V), Vice of the Walloon Minister in charge of the Economy Willy Borsus, together with a delegation from Audi Brussels, including the CEO Volker Germann and the head of strategic planning of Audi, Karl Meier. The trade unions, for their part, were not invited to this first meeting.

The meeting finally lasted about an hour and a half. Participants will meet again in early May, the Prime Minister’s Office said. At the same time, the labor ministers will begin to work on some methods.

■ Reporting by Charlotte Verbruggen, Karim Fahim and Hugo Moriamé