The car maker is threatening to sue the Brussels workers if they don’t return the 200 car keys they took. Tension over the possible closure of the plant continues to rise.
Workers at the Audi plant in Brussels burned tires Sunday night in a protest against a possible staff cut. The automaker has sent a letter to unions, threatening legal action over the seizure of about 200 car keys.
The workers took the keys to the vehicles – both completed and incomplete -, demanding clarity from Audi on the future of the Belgian plant. The company has ordered its immediate return, noting that it can identify those responsible through security cameras.
Audi warned in July that workers at the Brussels plant could be fired due to the low demand for the Q8 e-tron electric SUV. Last week, Volkswagenthe parent company, added fuel to the fire by confirming that no new models would be allocated to the Brussels factory.
Some unions believe that the declaration means the end of the plant, which would mean the loss of more than 3,000 jobs by the end of 2025. Others have suggested the facility could find new investors and potentially produce parts for other factories.
Audi studies closing more factories in Europe
Volkswagen’s announcement has caused a new wave of strikesjust when employees are returning to work after summer vacation. A large protest is planned in Brussels on September 16. Meanwhile, Volkswagen is also weighing the factory closures in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history.
European car manufacturers are having trouble keeping up of the transition to electric vehiclessince it requires significant investments in new technologies.
The demand for this type of vehicles is not strong because many owners consider them unaffordable. European manufacturers are also facing increasing pressure from their asian competitors.
