Volkswagen Temporarily Halts German EV Plants Amid Sales Slowdown
Volkswagen is temporarily halting production at several German plants, including the Zwickau facility, due to a slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales across Germany. The move comes less than a year after the company agreed to reduce factory costs and eliminate jobs by 2030. The Zwickau plant, which produces EVs for Volkswagen, Audi, and Cupra, will suspend operations for a week starting October 6. This follows similar measures at other German sites like Hannover and Kassel, where production has been reduced or temporarily halted due to declining demand for electric cars in Germany. Volkswagen is also adjusting shifts in Dresden and shortening the working week at its Osnabrück plant, while the Wolfsburg facility will add extra weekend shifts for traditional models. Volkswagen's ID lineup, despite being among Europe's best-selling EVs, faces challenges in Germany. Models like the ID.4 are exposed to trade tariffs and competitive pressures. The Emden plant, which builds the ID.4 and ID.7, is expected to stop production lines for several days in the coming weeks. The company's CEO acknowledges a 'clear drop in demand for battery-electric cars' in Germany, attributing it to uneven consumer demand and massive changes in the industry. The production slowdown at Volkswagen's German plants reflects the uneven demand for electric vehicles in Germany. With only 16% of new car sales being electric compared to 37% for hybrids, the shift to electric mobility is proving more complex than initially anticipated. Volkswagen, along with other automakers, is adjusting production capacities to navigate these challenges in Germany.
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