3,000 jobs threatened at Audi Brussels: Prime Minister guarantees “model production until 2027”

The Prime Minister is involved in the Audi Brussels issue. The company has reduced its production, 3,000 jobs at the site are threatened. The task force was launched this afternoon. Alexander De Croo wants to move forward “very quickly” and complete the file to ensure the future of Audi Brussels before the next election.

To do this, he brings together various federal ministers, members of the regional governments and then of course the management of Audi Brussels. The unions were not invited, a decision they regret. But yesterday, they were able to present a list of their demands to the Federal Minister of Labour, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, who will be present and will be able to present them.

Two weeks ago, Audi Brussels announced the elimination of 371 temporary jobs, a very difficult situation for these employees. And today only 3,000 permanent jobs remain in the balance.

Therefore, the government proposes different measures, including the creation of training grants to develop a new production model. Different subsidies can also be decided, or even a reduction in the energy bill for the company.

Furthermore, the site will no longer build a successor to the current e-tron model of the Q8 after 2027. The task force’s goal is to develop a dossier for the automaker so that cars 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 M. De Croo.

The Prime Minister added:We need to make sure we have our case ready in time to demonstrate our capabilities and see what we need to work on“

The head of government said the facilities around the factory could be improved, as the Forest factory is highly dependent on rail transport. He would like to move forward very quickly with the intention of a “declaration of intent”. The working group should 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.”

All these measures will be scrutinized very closely by all the players in the automotive sector, as more than the case of Audi Brussels, it is the electric market in general that has been doing badly in recent months.