Photo File Credit: Reuters
German carmaker Volkswagen and its powerful labor unions have agreed a turnaround plan involving 30,000 job cuts by 2021 at its core brand to boost profitability and fund a post-dieselgate shift to electric and self-drive cars, a source told Reuters on Friday.
The agreement foresees 3.7 billion euros ($3.9 billion) in annual savings at VW’s namesake brand, a step which involves 23,000 job cuts in Germany alone, another source said.
Labor leaders agreed to the cuts in exchange for a management pledge to create new jobs and make investments in electric cars, mainly in factories in Germany.
VW managers have agreed to build an electric sports utility vehicle at its main plant in Wolfsburg and a smaller electric vehicle, known as the I.D., in Zwickau, the first source said.
Electric motors will be built in Kassel and VW will start battery cell production in Salzgitter. It will build full battery packs at its plant in Braunschweig, the first source said.
Volkswagen declined to comment.
Source: Reuters
