# Crisis and restructuring in the German automotive industry > The German automotive industry is undergoing a wave of restructuring, with plant closures and job cuts among suppliers Schaeffler and Bosch as well as at a historic player, while manufacturers face collapsing profits and a 7% drop in passenger car production in October. This trend fits into a broader European context of market stagnation and job losses, social difficulties, declining sales in China, and trade tensions in the United States. The sub-events focus mainly on Germany, where the press questions the future of the sector, while job cuts are also reported in France and Italy, and China and the United States are cited as markets affecting German manufacturers. However, a barometer indicates an improvement in the morale of the German automotive industry, and industrial orders have risen thanks to the automobile sector. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 22 events involving Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and 4 more, in 7 countries (Allemagne, Chine, Belgique and 4 more), followed from 31 October 2026 to 5 November 2026. 116 articles from 23 sources (plants, jobs and earnings); last updated on 5 November 2026 at 23:13. Figures reported: 326 vehicles, 3500 jobs. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Plants, jobs and earnings - Countries: Allemagne, Chine, Belgique, France, Italie, Slovaquie, États-Unis - Brands: Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Schaeffler, Bosch, Volkswagen Group - First detected: 31 October 2026 at 04:00 - Updated: 5 November 2026 at 23:13 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/164-crisis-and-restructuring-in-the-german-automotive-industry ## National stories (9) - Germany — 10 country-specific events, 72 articles - China — 0 country-specific event, 9 articles - France — 0 country-specific event, 8 articles - United States — 0 country-specific event, 8 articles - Spain — 0 country-specific event, 4 articles - United Kingdom — 0 country-specific event, 3 articles - Italy — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles - Vietnam — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles - Canada — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles ## Reported figures - €300 million - 300 millions d'euros - 300 Millionen Euro ## What is established _“Confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets (outlets of the same group count as one). AI cross-check of the collected headlines and extracts._ **Confirmed by several sources** - Schaeffler plans to cut 3,460 jobs in Europe and close five plants. (5 independent sources: [汽车之家](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiW0FVX3lxTE1RQUJqVmlsNUQ5REpTZnZoZUlaZnBHOUwwY0F3REhBSnFYWFl5RWt5TXJrNkJQZ3lPUFA2dV9rTUdVaXN3UjZMYmNGejZnUW5oYWZUbzNDY1RONVE?oc=5), [news.dealershipguy.com](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivgFBVV95cUxNS2VfUzdXTE9OVnhGNHhIUzRYWHBjWHpZQ2wwc2NMNXhPQ0c5WGZvcTViLUpVUjB0YXBHbS1NbVhVMmNtbDBSWkZqZXltTXRSejk3VGxEN2VsS3dKUU1MOEFaajBYLUtXY2VTdG0ybEE4dU0tcnZoMWJvanBkR2l1U2VEYXVMTnV2ZVg3ZjRwRVduMzJ2U2dOTDkyNGxCSXZHWFNTUHdSUGZ5Rml6WWlPSEpyWW0xZEFkRC1oZjF3?oc=5), [Le Revenu](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirgFBVV95cUxOMjRYLU1SSVAtc0E5bGNocWxuc1VTTklRX0NGRmxGLVBXTmo1UHVlVUdqY1ZjYkFqYk1iejU1WlJaSHVPai1EaERYNnBFZkpoNzBjQTRpeGtqVVNJTmZGTjFBT0xOdEg4VTU4N1oyZXZ0YjV3N3RDUzRhN01Vdnd5UExfSmRvTzBzdVhoalg5dlBhRnNLNnI0QnlqUkdyN2RSNEU2OHJ6dk5OQTBqSGc?oc=5), [GameStar](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi5wFBVV95cUxNbHI5U1V6d0JUbzU0Qy0xaGpfMFloNF81eVZ1WTgyY2ZobU1NejB3MXJzVW1zUkFfSWN0ckp3Y1E2N1B3eHR2R1p3ZXZtZUw0aGUwM0RzMktXV1gxVnYxeXBLVTZfYjRVbWFOd2J3SE43bWxTbEJLNXlhTlhRUWRVTW1zdExTejE1UGRiT180QXlqVzFIR2ZiRmhua0xHbDg1ekl5bTJ3LVVTaTRqS0kyZ2NLVkJaX0R0SjBnMWZsU3dtSmFtRFdpOWJpTDZhTUZaU0lwVjhjUUJhOHZoVk9Feml5ZGFsdUU?oc=5), [Auto Plus](https://www.autoplus.fr/actualite/cet-equipementier-supprime-3-460-emplois-en-europe-et-ferme-5-usines-1474656.html?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=unknown)) - The Ifo business climate index for the German automotive industry rose to -4.1 points in October, following a common agreement on emissions. (3 independent sources: [ad-hoc-news.de](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxQd2ZfMmZSemZpQmxxZ1F4VlFzT0VzU0w2WGtnaEdxOE1sb3p1N2lfcUlzc2lYaGQ1WXZKbXRlMUJoQUtaSTVub2ZIdkc3UEMzSncybXlwbnBzQWlfZzlWQUtvOTFySV9URERGbEdCYlB2T1RPVFhTbjlna0t6ZERHV3FLdmZDbmYySk44QWdaUEVBOElKNUpKY3dNOEVuLW5NdHBNbHNubFk5aE0z?oc=5), [www.marketscreener.com](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi9wFBVV95cUxQdVFnT2QxQ0JFaVhZSXAzOTk4RHoxVVdqLU9KTHpPazNuTFloOHEtbmRwQTJYMnBFekVCSUwyODJCS3R5S3hUUHRid3BzdUIyZElhOEpVcU9RNV9COUNHdWlZUXJhdGJac3pQTGx2dTR6dDdxMURJcmZsUGp1MDRXcFFUamxuckpFLTZ6aklQeG52VFVtZ1pJdzBmcGVTLU5YWFpJZGMyb19BYzNCZkZPaFJNZzJtYTZzc2hGSEdsSnhIMTVvTVVrTjRYajRZQkkzV01RZDZpWmtvbklVSmVweHpyLUJ6cWFuUy0zMFRZR1Q2Y3lWM0p3?oc=5), [trading-house.net](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQSl9NaDR0TjdqVnhGYTl2T2pWUTdMakxoZVo3V2pJbm05REJXaVpEUnZfSlliYlBMb0xsTGprMWpPT3l2bDVOWS1CQ1haTEdVQk5sMUVYbWphNmc0bXFUbG5UdER1SW9XVlduYk5zMmxTSV9kNjRuUW5CeXZJVHdJUEgxQ1kwbEFmdjZ5cTRGdTZSdE80dmYwMDBhdkM2RE5iNlE?oc=5)) - Bosch wants to cut an additional 750 jobs at its Abstatt site. (2 independent sources: [WELT](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1wFBVV95cUxPQl9tR2JxdThEMmlmcGItZmVzelBZMExUb01SWmg1c0FiVmF1X2VLTk9lbUtZNzU1OXpjOFdsanVmNm1uZ09mN0hmU2xEcUhNT0hOZTBOQndHN2w1UWpZZi1LQ0oycldDQUJzUzFDQUlDN3haUFc4QkNsSHVkYnZ5SG9Pdkt3RERmTm1YOERRdXdJWGF0RnN6YjBXdTE3ZGlqeDJKSzNjTno0WHhGa2dOanR3WTZxX1pIYzkybzNYb0hlMkYxVG1mNjIxd2tCRU5YVTBjNjNubw?oc=5), [automobil-industrie.vogel.de](https://www.automobil-industrie.vogel.de/bosch-stellenabbau-750-abstatt-bis-2029-a-60613a6bbf24133d4e4b8e9b3f85811b/)) - Profits of German car manufacturers collapsed in the third quarter. (2 independent sources: [Frankenpost](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxPSUx5a3YyYU96ZUdXbmxEYll0ZEdIc2h1MGFsOENWLXNvRlJkVjZqc2hnZEVuYVhXTFZyN2dPdG9VVHpubEhsWGI2TjB4cV9rUTZnblgtb3k1SkNnRVl5T01YT0J3Zk5lYjRZYjRkM0d2R191WGlPVTJ6ZGZ2eTJIMDk1Zm9BRWpkektHakstMGxGY19ITVJfZzJta1BHN1RXU1VKZ2V0MDJXM1VKMXBHOTlHdlFiSk5zbXNDdQ?oc=5), [handelsblatt.com](https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/industrie/autoindustrie-die-elektrowelle-ueberrollt-vw-bmw-und-mercedes/100265334.html)) **Single source so far** - The VDA states that German passenger car production fell by 7% in October, to 326,300 units. (according to [新浪财经](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiS0FVX3lxTE5KYjZqYjlWVnBtVThPSE1NVklxbmJPWUZPbGs2S203OHRsMUZMTi1XNk5PaFkzSVlwUV95VU1xV2w1YmRYV1JXZ1d1QQ?oc=5)) - German industrial orders rebounded by 4.4% in September, driven by the automotive sector. (according to [中金在线](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMia0FVX3lxTE5XdTVqOXV3ZHA1cEgzQ3VrU0VpNWVESXAtZjY0UTFWZUdUaG1aYno1cExLeUtMZlZmc0dSVGJPdnFjZ0JoQWJtMl9IaW5aRmtEYTFJeWQ1WGZVMmVwNjluZnNHSnhEeXpPcFdZ?oc=5)) - The automotive industry is reducing its research budgets. (according to [FAZ](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi-AFBVV95cUxPai1qNFJIVWMtdWVrQjZKY1Z3bjFiSU5OY29LSTI4OUVlZ2JSTGJQV2huYnBXT0NRZHVuMkhONXZRaEwtNkZfZ1JUcDFfUUZEQkxFY3BMMzhBNDJhbkF1RlhNc0E4NjYtcGVqMmFTV25Td3RlOU01dkthZDk3MnZodENaaVlaSHR3cDFWWDlOUkY5ZFFSRnNwMjJzZGtMOWVZV2lUUnlVUnVYcGE5bHlpa2YzTEJlTF9Za09oZTZMVjlvcG5NWjJWbjl4NHIxLW5oUVp6U2VkUEo1Ml9ueDV2aTNpd0QzRGhGQThaMTI3VzYwTUZiWjUzdA?oc=5)) - The insolvent supplier GWSPA is being taken over by the Demmel group, which will retain two-thirds of its employees. (according to [automobil-industrie.vogel.de](https://www.automobil-industrie.vogel.de/gwspa-insolvenz-demmel-uebernahme-wasserburg-a-a5f4a6c402e9b603360f6113bdd5d49c/)) - 270 jobs at Schaeffler in Berlin are threatened. (according to [Berliner Zeitung](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxQdm9HT2hnbVluZW1pcC1ILWQ2RDVNZm15ZjIzOUpHOEQ5Z294a0tRa3Q2Vzd5c2FYS2RtVXhqTUlDajI2Wk9PbkZCLXFZMkFsT2ViTFFJbHY1VWo3RkNURWF2Zk1fZ3pYOGpWQWtqci1pSmJFNkZteTFTdDRvaWZtSThoRktZNDNkWFE2SWYwUWdHQ3l6elM2UlJCdFoyTzNxN0diLXNUR0x4OUxCdkJtVVBBN3ZibEJMR2hWZU9rTWlLZ0NubE1ydGVn?oc=5)) - Schaeffler cites competitive pressure, falling demand for internal combustion engine vehicles, and late electrification. (according to [Auto Plus](https://www.autoplus.fr/actualite/cet-equipementier-supprime-3-460-emplois-en-europe-et-ferme-5-usines-1474656.html?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=unknown)) **Updates** - 5 November 2026 at 22:34: New: Insolvent supplier GWSPA is taken over by Demmel, with two-thirds of employees retained. - 5 November 2026 at 22:34: New: Bosch announces 750 job cuts at the Abstatt site. - 5 November 2026 at 14:06: New official figure: German industrial orders up 4.4% in September, driven by the automotive sector. - 5 November 2026 at 00:59: Clarification: the IG Metall warning strike at Audi and Mercedes involves 3.7 million employees. - 5 November 2026 at 00:59: New detail: 270 jobs in Berlin threatened at Schaeffler. - 5 November 2026 at 00:59: New official figure: German passenger car production down 7% in October, at 326,300 units. ## Background _Context and reference points, separate from the story’s news; every item links to its source._ **Key terms** - **Restructuring**: Reorganization of a company's or sector's structure, which may involve calling into question all or part of its activities and lead to job cuts or the closure of production or management sites. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restructuration)) - **Warning strike**: A short-term protest action organized to signal discontent before potential longer actions; the term is used in sources regarding entrepreneur movements, without a distinct formal definition. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comit%C3%A9_national_de_gr%C3%A8ve_de_Bi%C3%A9lorussie)) - **Automotive supplier**: An industrial company that designs, manufactures, and supplies components, systems, or modules intended for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and/or the aftermarket. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89quipementier_automobile)) - **Ifo Barometer**: A German business confidence indicator; sources do not provide a detailed definition, but it is mentioned as signaling improved morale in the sector. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crise_%C3%A9conomique_li%C3%A9e_%C3%A0_la_pand%C3%A9mie_de_Covid-19)) ## Sources by country and language - Germany: 72 articles, 49 outlets - China: 9 articles, 8 outlets - France: 8 articles, 8 outlets - United States: 8 articles, 6 outlets - Spain: 4 articles, 2 outlets - United Kingdom: 3 articles, 3 outlets - Canada: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Italy: 2 articles, 2 outlets - Vietnam: 2 articles, 1 outlets - Austria: 1 articles, 1 outlets - Switzerland: 1 articles, 1 outlets - India: 1 articles, 1 outlets - South Korea: 1 articles, 1 outlets - Netherlands: 1 articles, 1 outlets - Slovakia: 1 articles, 1 outlets **Languages**: German (72), English (17), Chinese (9), French (9), Spanish (4), Italian (2), Korean (1), Dutch (1), Japanese (1) ## Timeline (22 events) ### 31 October 2026 — [IG Metall threatens warning strikes from Sunday](https://mecapress.com/events/690-ig-metall-threatens-warning-strikes-from-sunday.md) The IG Metall union is stepping up pressure in the German automotive labor dispute with possible walkouts starting Sunday. 4 sources, 6 articles · Allemagne ### 31 October 2026 — [German automakers continue their decline](https://mecapress.com/events/507-german-automakers-continue-their-decline.md) German automaker figures continue to deteriorate, illustrating the sector's ongoing difficulties in Germany. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 2 November 2026 — [The German automotive crisis and lagging behind in the race for tomorrow's car](https://mecapress.com/events/2652-the-german-automotive-crisis-and-lagging-behind-in-the-race-for-tomorrow-s-car.md) An analysis explains why the German automotive industry is struggling to keep up with the technological race for the car of tomorrow. 2 sources, 2 articles · Allemagne ### 2 November 2026 — [German auto industry slows diversification of its boards of directors](https://mecapress.com/events/2432-german-auto-industry-slows-diversification-of-its-boards-of-directors.md) According to Börsen-Zeitung, the German automotive sector is slowing the trend toward diversifying profiles within its governing bodies. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 3 November 2026 — [L'industrie automobile allemande confrontée à une accumulation de facteurs négatifs](https://mecapress.com/events/2910-l-industrie-automobile-allemande-confrontee-a-une-accumulation-de-facteurs.md) La presse allemande décrit un secteur automobile confronté simultanément à plusieurs difficultés, entre coûts, demande atone et concurrence étrangère. 3 sources, 3 articles · Allemagne ### 3 November 2026 — [3 000 salariés d'Audi en grève, l'avenir d'une usine allemande en question](https://mecapress.com/events/2984-3-000-salaries-d-audi-en-greve-l-avenir-d-une-usine-allemande-en-question.md) Quelque 3 000 salariés d'Audi se sont mis en grève en Allemagne tandis que l'avenir d'un site de production du constructeur reste incertain. 1 sources, 2 articles · Allemagne ### 3 November 2026 — [Schaeffler cuts 3,460 jobs in Europe](https://mecapress.com/events/3010-schaeffler-cuts-3-460-jobs-in-europe.md) Supplier Schaeffler announces the elimination of 3,460 jobs in Europe against a backdrop of a slowdown in the automotive industry. 20 sources, 45 articles · Allemagne — Allemagne, Belgique, Slovaquie ### 3 November 2026 — [Schaeffler plans to close its Dortmund plant](https://mecapress.com/events/3820-schaeffler-plans-to-close-its-dortmund-plant.md) Supplier Schaeffler plans to close its Dortmund site, a new step in its plan to cut 3,460 jobs in Europe. 1 sources, 1 articles · Dortmund — Allemagne ### 3 November 2026 — [Débat sur l'avenir de l'Allemagne comme nation automobile](https://mecapress.com/events/3268-debat-sur-l-avenir-de-l-allemagne-comme-nation-automobile.md) La presse allemande s'interroge sur le déclin de l'industrie automobile nationale, entre pertes de compétitivité et restructurations. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 3 November 2026 — [Les constructeurs allemands cumulent les difficultés sociales, chinoises et américaines](https://mecapress.com/events/3681-les-constructeurs-allemands-cumulent-les-difficultes-sociales-chinoises-et.md) Une analyse revient sur les problèmes d'emploi, la chute des ventes en Chine et les tensions commerciales auxquels font face les constructeurs allemands. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne, Chine, États-Unis ### 3 November 2026 — [Effondrement des profits des constructeurs automobiles en mode crise](https://mecapress.com/events/3465-effondrement-des-profits-des-constructeurs-automobiles-en-mode-crise.md) Les constructeurs automobiles, notamment allemands, voient leurs bénéfices s'effondrer dans un contexte de crise sectorielle. 2 sources, 3 articles · Allemagne, Chine ### 4 November 2026 — [La presse allemande décrit la crise des constructeurs automobiles](https://mecapress.com/events/3853-la-presse-allemande-decrit-la-crise-des-constructeurs-automobiles.md) Le Nordbayerischer Kurier consacre sa une à la crise que traversent les constructeurs automobiles allemands, entre coûts, demande atone et restructurations. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 4 November 2026 — [Le moral de l'industrie automobile allemande s'améliore nettement](https://mecapress.com/events/3887-le-moral-de-l-industrie-automobile-allemande-s-ameliore-nettement.md) Selon un baromètre publié en Allemagne, le climat des affaires dans l'industrie automobile du pays s'est nettement redressé, après plusieurs mois de crise sectorielle. 2 sources, 33 articles · Allemagne ### 4 November 2026 — [Wave of job cuts accelerates in European automotive sector](https://mecapress.com/events/4537-wave-of-job-cuts-accelerates-in-european-automotive-sector.md) Facing market stagnation, job cuts are multiplying in the European automotive industry. 1 sources, 2 articles · Europe — Allemagne, France, Italie ### 4 November 2026 — [La vague de faillites menace l'industrie automobile allemande](https://mecapress.com/events/4050-la-vague-de-faillites-menace-l-industrie-automobile-allemande.md) La presse allemande évoque une vague de faillites dans le secteur automobile et s'interroge sur la survie de la filière à quinze ans. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 4 November 2026 — [Un industriel traditionnel allemand veut fermer cinq usines et supprimer des milliers de postes](https://mecapress.com/events/4041-un-industriel-traditionnel-allemand-veut-fermer-cinq-usines-et-supprimer-des.md) Un acteur historique de l'industrie automobile allemande envisage la fermeture de cinq sites et la suppression de plusieurs milliers d'emplois. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 4 November 2026 — [Germany: passenger car production falls 7% in October](https://mecapress.com/events/4358-germany-passenger-car-production-falls-7-in-october.md) According to the VDA, German passenger car production dropped by 7% in October, totaling 326,300 units. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 5 November 2026 — [Bosch cuts 750 jobs at German site](https://mecapress.com/events/4747-bosch-cuts-750-jobs-at-german-site.md) Equipment maker Bosch continues workforce reductions in Germany with the elimination of 750 positions at one of its sites, amid a crisis in the automotive industry. 2 sources, 3 articles · Abstatt — Allemagne ### 5 November 2026 — [Le VDA réclame de meilleures conditions pour préserver l'emploi](https://mecapress.com/events/4837-le-vda-reclame-de-meilleures-conditions-pour-preserver-l-emploi.md) Le VDA avertit que la transition vers l'électrique coûte des emplois et demande une amélioration des conditions d'implantation industrielle en Allemagne. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 5 November 2026 — [L'industrie automobile allemande réduit ses budgets de recherche](https://mecapress.com/events/4814-l-industrie-automobile-allemande-reduit-ses-budgets-de-recherche.md) Selon la FAZ, les constructeurs allemands taillent dans leurs budgets de R&D, ce qui éloigne l'objectif du gouvernement fédéral en matière d'innovation. 1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne ### 5 November 2026 — [German automotive industry drives manufacturing sector orders](https://mecapress.com/events/4834-german-automotive-industry-drives-manufacturing-sector-orders.md) Orders in German manufacturing industry are rising significantly, driven by the automotive sector. 3 sources, 5 articles · Allemagne ### 5 November 2026 — [L'équipementier insolvable GWSPA repris par le groupe Demmel](https://mecapress.com/events/4917-l-equipementier-insolvable-gwspa-repris-par-le-groupe-demmel.md) Le groupe Demmel reprend l'équipementier automobile GWSPA Produktion, en insolvabilité à Wasserburg am Inn, et conserve deux tiers des salariés. 1 sources, 1 articles · Wasserburg am Inn — Allemagne --- Cite as: Mecapress, “Crisis and restructuring in the German automotive industry”, https://mecapress.com/stories/164-crisis-and-restructuring-in-the-german-automotive-industry Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology