Audi Brussels confirms the plant will permanently shut down production in early 2025, affecting Q8 e-tron output and the workforce, with supplier effects.
The decision was disclosed during an extraordinary works council meeting, where management explained the plan to suspend production of the Q8 e-tron models from February 28, according to Belga.
According to L’Echo, no layoffs are planned before that date, and after the Christmas holidays all departments will resume work in two shifts.
Audi Brussels is in talks with a potential investor, about whom there is much speculation in the press.
Le Soir and RTL report that the investor operates in the corporate vehicle sector.
L’Echo reports, for its part, that union sources say it is a tractor manufacturer, while management says it is a producer of trucks and buses.
The question of which investor might take over the plant will be discussed in depth at the next works council meeting.
L’Echo noted that the announcement of the February closure has surprised workers.
For next year, 6,000 cars were planned, so production could run into April. Producing 6,000 cars in eight weeks would be impossible, said Franky De Schrijver, the representative of the Belgian General Federation of Labour (FGTB).
The forecasts for Audi anticipated a 60 percent drop in Q8 e-tron volumes in 2024 and a 70 percent decline in 2025, according to the unions.