Auto industry in the crisis: Hundreds of jobs in Darmstadt threaten!

Auto industry in the crisis: Hundreds of jobs in Darmstadt threaten!

The automotive industry is in a crisis that is now also being felt in Cologne and the surrounding area. Akasol GmbH in Darmstadt has announced that it will cut almost 350 jobs by January 2026. This is happening against the backdrop of declining demand for electrically powered commercial vehicles, which has a direct negative impact on orders for battery systems. Akasol, a leading manufacturer of high-performance batteries, was acquired by BorgWarner in 2022 for around 730 million euros and opened a production facility for lithium-ion battery systems in a new Gigafactory in 2021. The number has risen from 370 employees to currently over 800, but recent developments cast a shadow over the future of the company. fr.de reports that ...

But Akasol is not the only company in the region suffering from the pressure. Segula Technologies GmbH in Rüsselsheim has also filed for bankruptcy and plans to cut around 200 jobs. Accordingly, insolvency proceedings were opened on September 29, 2025 due to a lack of demand and high operating costs. The German subsidiary, which previously acted as an important development partner for numerous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), employs around 700 people. In this multitude of changes, three interested parties hope to take over parts of the Opel test facilities. Rüsselsheim's mayor recently emphasized the importance of Segula as an employer. financialfocus.com adds...

The pressure on the industry is growing

The current situation in the automotive industry is alarming. According to an analysis by the auditing and consulting firm EY, the 19 largest car companies worldwide recorded a decline in sales of 1.1 percent in the second quarter of 2025. Corporate profits fell by 55 percent in the same period. German car manufacturers in particular are struggling, with a profit drop of 38 percent, while competitors from China, such as Geely and BYD, can look forward to a profit increase of 1 percent. Constantin M. Gall from EY describes the Western auto industry as being in a deep and structural crisis. The challenges are diverse: global conflicts, a weak economy in Europe, high tariffs and, given the different consumer preferences, increasing price competition. ey.com informs about this...

This makes the questions about the ability of companies to adapt in this rapidly changing market all the more pressing. The works councils of Akasol and BorgWarner are calling for a technical transformation to secure jobs. They are supported in their initiative by Darmstadt's mayor, who warns of an impending job loss. Meanwhile, the Greens in Darmstadt are criticizing the city's economic policy and calling for a real strategy to strengthen the business location. Another indication of how profound the impact of the crisis is is the uncertainty faced by over 7,000 employees worldwide due to the bankruptcy of Segula Technologies. This not only affects the employees, but also numerous small and medium-sized companies that received their orders through interaction with Segula.

The structural change in the automotive industry cannot be overlooked. The challenges require a strategic realignment, and the bankruptcy proceedings could also offer an opportunity for increasing efficiency and long -term restructuring. It remains to be seen how companies react to the continuing challenges and what paths they will take in order to be able to exist in this time characterized by uncertainty.