The head of the works council automobile manufacturer VWDaniela Cavallo, can imagine armaments projects at VW. Especially for the plant in Lower Saxony Osnabruck could that be a perspective. “We are examining all options to make the Osnabrück location fit for the future,” Cavallo told the dpa news agency. She pointed out that the subsidiary MAN has been building military trucks in a joint venture with Rheinmetall for years.
She also justifies her stance by saying that, in her view, Germany and Europe need to become more independent in the area of defense. “The world has changed a lot. That’s why it’s important that Europe builds a counterweight there,” she added.
At the same time, Cavallo referred to the ongoing tension Situation in the automotive industry – also at Volkswagen. The industry is at a standstill due to geopolitical conflicts and Commercial disputessuch as new US tariffs, under pressure. However, the board has to deal with this. “That’s his job,” Cavallo said.
Savings programs at the expense of employees should be avoided
“My job is to ensure that existing agreements are adhered to and that new austerity programs are not introduced unilaterally to the detriment of the workforce.” In doing so, it opposes additional savings at the expense of employees. According to her, the package agreed at the end of 2024 has already demanded a lot from the workforce. “This program must now be implemented consistently – not just on labor costs, but on all types of costs,” she added.
At the end of 2024, after a long struggle, the company and the union agreed on a restructuring program that would… Reduction of 35,000 jobs in Germany until 2030. In return, plant closures and operational layoffs were ruled out.
Location closures remain excluded
Cavallo also wants to adhere to these provisions. According to her, there will be “under no circumstances” any site closures, not even in Osnabrück. There is still no finished future concept for the location. “But the company’s board of directors has committed itself to developing one together with the employees.” Closure is not planned and would not be an option.
This year production is underway Porsche models built in Osnabrück out of. Production of the VW T-Roc convertible will also end in mid-2027. The arms company Rheinmetall has long been considered a possible interested party. In February, the factory also presented prototypes of possible VW-based military vehicles – initially only as a test. According to VW, it is still unclear whether this will result in concrete projects.