Audi’s Brussels Plant to Shut Down in 2025
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the European automotive industry, Volkswagen’s Audi has announced that it will cease production at its Brussels plant by February 2025. This decision, driven by declining electric vehicle sales and high structural costs, will see the Q8 e-tron SUV’s production shift to Mexico. The closure leaves 4,000 workers uncertain about their future, as no buyer has been found for the plant.

Worker Outrage and Industry Impact
“It’s hate because we’re being thrown out,” said Mr. Stavros, a union member with nearly 40 years at the plant. Employees like him feel betrayed, especially since Audi expects to post an operating profit of €6.3 billion in 2023. Workers argue that they are being sacrificed in the name of profitability despite the company’s financial success.

Audi’s closure is not an isolated case. The European auto industry has been struggling with weak growth and stiff competition from Chinese manufacturers. Since early 2024, news of production cuts and factory closures has been relentless—Stellantis in Italy, Michelin in France, and Volkswagen in Germany, which, for the first time, is considering shutting down three domestic plants.

The Bigger Picture: Europe’s Deindustrialization Crisis
The decline of Europe’s manufacturing sector is part of a broader trend known as deindustrialization. The share of industry in Europe’s GDP has fallen from 28.8% in 1991 to 23.7% in 2023, according to the World Bank. The loss of nearly 853,000 manufacturing jobs between 2019 and 2023 highlights the severity of the issue.

Factors such as automation, outsourcing, rising energy costs, and competition from China and the U.S. have accelerated this decline. As a result, workers like Basile, a 30-year-old Audi employee, are left frustrated. “We don’t understand it, we think it’s unfair,” he said, echoing the sentiments of many affected employees.

Europe’s Response: The Green Industrial Push
To counter deindustrialization, the EU is focusing on green technologies through its “Green Deal for Europe.” This initiative aims to boost resource independence and encourage investment in carbon-neutral industries. However, experts warn that the required €800 billion investment is difficult to secure, especially given the financial constraints of many EU nations.

Meanwhile, China and the U.S. continue to invest heavily in their industrial sectors, putting Europe under increasing pressure to keep pace. The race for industrial dominance is starting to resemble a trade war, with Europe struggling to maintain competitiveness while also pushing for carbon neutrality by 2050.

For more details on Audi’s decision and its impact on Europe, read the full report at Euronews.