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Volkswagen chief executive Oliver Blume has dismissed speculation that the carmaker’s plant in Osnabr\u00fcck in north-western Germany might be sold to a Chinese manufacturer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are currently no plans or discussions with Chinese manufacturers,\u201d he said at an all-hands meeting in Wolfsburg on Wednesday. According to reports, China’s XPeng Motors is one of several manufacturers said to be interested in acquiring sites in Europe.<\/p>\n
Addressing VW workers, Blume defended the VW Group\u2019s intensified cost-cutting efforts. \u201cWe still have overcapacity at our plants in Europe and Germany,\u201d he said, according to the group\u2019s statement at the works meeting in Wolfsburg. \u201cWe must address this to remain competitive.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he added: \u201cIntelligent solutions are important for our plants.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the plant in Osnabr\u00fcck, for example, \u201cwe are currently negotiating with companies from the defence industry,\u201d Blume explained.<\/p>\n
The aim is to develop employment prospects beyond the end of vehicle production in 2027. \u201cSpeculation beyond this and approaches being discussed in the wider community are not on the agenda for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to industry sources, the Israeli defence contractor Rafael could take over the plant and manufacture components for the “Iron Dome” air defence system there. Reports suggest that the Franco-German defence contractor KNDS is also showing interest. VW, however, has repeatedly ruled out producing weapons.<\/p>\n
VW works council chairwoman Daniele Cavallo called at the meeting for an end to the ongoing speculation surrounding the future of VW\u2019s domestic plants.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe employer side here should also have a keen interest in ensuring that these unspeakable headlines about plant closures finally stop,\u201d she said, according to an intranet post seen by dpa. She argued that the constant discussions were damaging the group\u2019s public image.<\/p>\n
Cavallo emphasized that there was no lack of understanding among staff regarding the group\u2019s current crisis. \u201cWe as a workforce understand the situation. And we have delivered!\u201d Cavallo referred to the collective bargaining compromise reached in December 2024. \u201cNow it\u2019s the other side\u2019s turn to deliver!\u201d<\/p>\n
According to participants, Blume is also said to have assured those present, with regard to the main plant and the group\u2019s headquarters: \u201cWolfsburg is and will remain the powerhouse of this group.\u201d According to reports, this was met with warm applause from the workforce.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n