The management of Audi Brussels has ended its search for a takeover bid as the only potential buyer for the site has now withdrawn. The announcement was made on Tuesday during an extraordinary works council meeting, unions said.
According to the Christian unions CNE and ACV, Audi Brussels management has ended its active search for takeover candidates. It does however remain open to any new potential buyers.
It has been confirmed that the production site will permanently close in February 2025, as around 3,000 workers are facing redundancy next year.
What future for the plant?
In July, Audi Brussels announced plans to restructure its site in Forest. The German carmaker cited a slowdown in demand for the electric Q8 e-tron models produced in Brussels.
In addition to the 3,000 factory workers directly employed by Audi, more than 1,000 people are employed by Audi Brussels' various subcontractors.
By September, the Volkswagen Group (which owns Audi) confirmed it wasn't planning to produce any car models at its Forest site. Audi Brussels says it can find no other use for the plant, and now the last buyer with a potentially viable proposal for the site has withdrawn.
Production has also been halted at the site for most of the past two weeks, as supplier Imperial Logistics is on strike and has halted the delivery of car parts.
Unions want transparency about buyers
CNE criticised the lack of information provided by management about the buyer and the overall lack of transparency in the search for candidates.
The Christian union urged the Federal Government’s task force to quickly convene a meeting with Audi Brussels management to persuade them to provide the full details of a reported 24 alternatives for the site, and in particular the 26 potential buyers that have been indicated at various points in the negotiations.
Last month the union threatened legal action against Audi Brussels over the lack of communication regarding potential buyers and offers for the site.
