Thuringian supplier is concerned: VW savings course meets the region hard

Von Kl Redaktion

The auto industry faces challenging times, especially the supply industry in Thuringia. Happy shock waves, which were triggered by the tightening of the austerity course at Volkswagen (VW), ensure concern among companies that are closely connected to the automobile manufacturer

Rico Chmelik, Managing Director of the Automotive Thuringia industry association, told the German Press Agency that the close supplier relationships between Thuringian companies and VW play a crucial role. Some companies in the Free State have VW as its largest customer. Companies' attention is now aimed at developments at VW after the board of directors had announced an escalation of the savings measures at the beginning of the month.

Thuringian supplier with challenges

Especially due to the announcements of VW, uncertainties have arisen that could affect the supply industry. The effects of the austerity course and the possibly impending factory closures are currently difficult to estimate, which maintains the worries. The industry is already in a tense location. In Thuringia, larger VW suppliers are based, including in cities such as Eisenach, Eichsfeld, Gotha and Gera.

An alarming example of the difficulties in the industry is the MubeA group, a supplier with a work in Weißensee, Sömmerda district. Mubea announced that it would reduce around 300 jobs by the end of 2025. This is a direct consequence of the general challenges that the European automotive industry faces.

Another sign of economic turbulence in the region is the situation of the AE Group in South Thuringia. This company has announced that it would be renovated on his own responsibility after a reduced demand from the automotive industry has severely affected its economic situation. The AE Group employed around 600 people at the Gerstungen location.

economic importance of the automotive industry

The automotive industry is an important economic pillar for Thuringia. Chmelik states that around 80,000 employees are directly and indirectly active in this industry. With around 690 companies, the industry generates a considerable annual turnover of 9.3 billion euros. These enormous figures illustrate how strongly the region depends on the developments of this industry.

The latest news about the large number of challenges in the automotive industry have thrown a shadow on the industrial perspectives in Thuringia. Entrepreneurs and managers in the region observe the situation with great concern because they have to react to the developments at VW and in the entire automotive industry.