The Audi Brussels factory resumed operations on Tuesday after weeks of strikes due to the ongoing restructuring plan which could cost thousands of jobs.
“The restart is going as planned,” said spokesperson Peter D’hoore. The restart is happening in phases. Initially, the body shop and paint departments are resuming work.
"We’re not yet at full capacity. We’re taking it step by step," D’hoore added. The morning shift at Audi Brussels began at 6:00 am. "There was enough staff present to ensure the start as planned," he noted.
This marks the first production since employees were informed that the Forest factory would not be assigned a new model by Audi and the Volkswagen Group, which led to significant social conflict and the factory’s closure. Reconciliation talks last week facilitated the restart.
In early July, Audi Brussels announced a restructuring. Production of the Q8 e-tron, currently rolling off the line, is set to end sooner than planned.
The German automaker is dealing with overcapacity, and the Brussels factory is bearing the brunt due to higher production costs compared to other Audi sites. Experts have pointed to high labour costs and the factory’s challenging location, squeezed between a residential area and railway.
The restructuring plan suggests that as many as 1,500 jobs could be lost by October, with over 1,100 more potentially next year. By the end of 2025, the remaining jobs might also be eliminated. However, Audi is exploring other options, including finding a buyer or shifting to parts production.
