Audi, Volkswagen’s luxury division, has not yet found a buyer for its Brussels plant, which has been under review since July. Despite talks with 26 potential buyers, none have been willing to take on the plant’s roughly 3,000 employees, leaving the future of the site uncertain.
Gerd Walker, Audi’s board member responsible for production, expressed concern about the lack of a viable option. “Unfortunately, there is currently no concept that will secure jobs at the site in the long term,” Walker said. Audi had been in discussions with both carmakers and suppliers about a potential sale, but a company spokesperson declined to provide specific details, noting that bids could still be submitted.
The review of the Brussels facility was initiated after a sharp decline in demand for high-end electric vehicles. In July, Volkswagen cut its outlook and warned that it might have to close the Audi plant, citing potential costs of up to €2.6 billion ($2.9 billion) to either find an alternative use for the site or close it down.
The difficulty in finding a buyer for the Brussels factory comes amid broader concerns about possible site closures within the Volkswagen Group, including locations in Germany. This situation has sparked significant tension with labor unions, as the company navigates challenges in the European auto industry.
One potential buyer, Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Nio, was reportedly interested in the Brussels site, according to Belgian newspaper De Tijd. However, Nio’s Chief Executive William Li denied any plans to acquire the factory.
Audi has now initiated talks about a social plan for the plant’s staff, as the uncertainty over the future of the site continues. In addition, a working group is examining whether there is a future for the Brussels plant within the Volkswagen Group, raising hopes that the facility might remain operational under new terms.
As the European car market faces shifting demand and increased competition, the fate of Audi’s Brussels plant remains in limbo. Audi is continuing its efforts to secure a buyer or explore other options within the Volkswagen Group, but the future for the 3,000 workers at the site remains uncertain.