The management of the Audi factory in Brussels announced on Tuesday that no economically viable alternative had been found for Audi Brussels. Only investors are now being sought.
No automotive project or economically viable alternative use has been found for the car plant, the management announced at a new extraordinary works council meeting on Tuesday morning. The meeting was held under phase 1 of the Renault law on collective redundancies.
"More than twenty alternative business models were analysed as part of the information and consultation process, for example in the areas of electromobility and battery technology, but also lifecycle sustainability and new business models along the value chain," said Audi Brussels spokesperson Peter D'hoore.
At this stage, nothing was found to be viable, meaning that without investors, the plant would struggle to continue its operations.
As part of the extraordinary Works Council meeting, the management of Audi Brussels agreed with trade unions to set up a joint working group to explore possible alternatives in greater depth. The group will begin its analysis next week.
Audi announced its intention to restructure the Brussels plant on 9 July, raising the threat of closure and the potential loss of 1,500 jobs from next October, followed by a further 1,100 next year.
At the request of the social partners, preparations for negotiations on a social agreement will begin on 1 October.
On Monday, thousands of workers took to the streets of Brussels in solidarity with affected Audi Brussels workers and Belgium's struggling industries.
