Volkswagen’s chief financial officer has warned that the company has no economically viable production plans for four German manufacturing sites once their current model lines conclude in the early 2030s.
Arno Antlitz made the remarks during a visit to the Hanover plant, ahead of a board meeting that week, attributing the decision to a structural cost disadvantage of around €1.5bn per year compared with other European facilities. The shortfall reflects higher labor and operational expenses that undermine competitiveness, he said.
The company described plant closures as the costliest option and a last resort. Volkswagen emphasized it remains committed to safeguarding jobs and industrial value creation across its German operations, including Hanover, though no immediate alternatives were outlined. The warning underscores the mounting pressure on legacy German automotive manufacturing amid shifting production economics and electrification strategies.
