Audi Brussels is considering restarting production at its factory in Forest, marking the first time cars roll off the production line since early November.
The announcement in July that Volkswagen would "restructure" its Audi production site in Brussels was met with shock, especially for roughly 3,000 employees whose jobs are at risk. They have been protesting the closure ever since.
Audi is now exploring the feasibility of manufacturing vehicles again. However, any potential restart will be temporary as the factory is still set to close for good on 28 February.
"We have consistently stated that production would resume if we had all the necessary parts," spokesperson Peter D’hoore said on Friday. "Early next week, we will check our inventory and internally determine the best time and method to restart production at Audi Brussels."
Workers want 'real' negotiations
Audi explains the closure of the production site as the result of a decline in orders for its Q8 e-tron models (an EV), citing fierce competition from Tesla, Volvo, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and Porsche, as well as subsidised Chinese makes.
The German carmaker also pointed to "long-standing structural challenges" particular to the Forest factory. It is expected to transfer the production of the Q8 e-tron is expected to move to Audi’s newest plant at San José Chiapa in Mexico, where labour costs are substantially lower.
Action organised by the Audi Brussels unions, on Monday 23 December 2024, in Brussels. Credit: Belga/James Arthur Gekiere.
Attempts to negotiate between management and workers fell through on 12 December. On 23 December, around 500 Audi Brussels workers staged a joint union action, demanding that management engage in "real" negotiations for a redundancy plan.
"The goal is to show that [the unions] are still here and that there are still possibilities," said a representative for the FGTB Metal union, Grégory Dascotte.
"Audi is setting a dangerous precedent by bypassing collective negotiations, which we will not tolerate," stated FGTB and CSC trade union.
