Audi, the luxury division of Volkswagen, has yet to identify a prospective buyer for its Brussels plant, which has been under review since July. The company has engaged in discussions with 26 potential purchasers, but none have been willing to assume responsibility for the approximately 3,000 employees at the facility.
"Regrettably, there is currently no strategy in place to ensure long-term job security at the site," stated Gerd Walker, Audi's board member responsible for production.
An Audi spokesperson clarified that the company has been in talks with both automakers and suppliers regarding the sale of the plant, though specifics were not disclosed. The spokesperson also noted that bids for the plant could still be submitted.
In July, Volkswagen revised its outlook downward after warning that it might need to close Audi's Brussels factory due to a significant decline in demand for high-end electric vehicles. The potential costs associated with repurposing or closing the site were estimated at up to 2.6 billion euros ($2.9 billion).
The challenges in finding a buyer for the factory have coincided with broader concerns about potential site closures in Germany, a situation that Volkswagen first addressed a month ago, leading to a significant conflict with labor unions.
Belgian newspaper De Tijd reported last month that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio was among the parties interested in the Audi Brussels site. However, Nio's CEO, William Li, denied any plans to acquire the plant when questioned about the report.
Audi has now initiated discussions about a social plan for the factory's staff, and a working group is also assessing whether the site has a future within the Volkswagen Group.
