# Schaeffler, Audi and the crisis of the German automotive industry > On November 3, 2026, supplier Schaeffler announces the cutting of 3,460 jobs in Europe and is considering the closure of its Dortmund plant, while around 3,000 Audi employees go on strike in Germany as the future of a production site remains uncertain. This movement is part of a difficult sectoral context marked by a 7% decline in German passenger car production in October, collapsing profits, research cuts and fears of bankruptcies, even if the business climate and orders show some signs of recovery. Across all markets, the difficulties of German automakers are also linked to the drop in sales in China and trade tensions with the United States. The sub-events place Germany at the center of the issue, while Belgium and Slovakia are cited for job cuts at Schaeffler and China and the United States for sales and trade tensions. **In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 20 events involving Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and 3 more, in 5 countries (Allemagne, Chine, Belgique and 2 more), followed from 31 October 2026 to 5 November 2026. 110 articles from 23 sources (plants, jobs and earnings); last updated on 5 November 2026 at 12:20. Figures reported: 326 vehicles, 3500 jobs. - Status: ongoing - Scope: International - Category: Plants, jobs and earnings - Countries: Allemagne, Chine, Belgique, Slovaquie, États-Unis - Brands: Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Schaeffler, Volkswagen Group - First detected: 31 October 2026 at 04:00 - Updated: 5 November 2026 at 12:20 - Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/164-schaeffler-audi-and-the-crisis-of-the-german-automotive-industry ## National stories (9) - Germany — 9 country-specific events, 68 articles - France — 0 country-specific event, 8 articles - United States — 0 country-specific event, 8 articles - China — 0 country-specific event, 7 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 announces the cutting of 3,460 jobs in Europe and the closure of five plants. (5 independent sources: [Diariomotor](https://www.diariomotor.com/noticia/schaeffler-anuncia-cierre-cinco-centros-mas-despidos/), [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), [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)) - Profits of German automakers have collapsed in the third quarter, with difficulties in China and the Americas. (3 independent sources: [Yahoo Finance](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxON0VNdTBZd3U3SFl6TE9fZ3lrOWNnZnhaX05TYXl2WmNUWlBfU3dtWjRaX1pfR01JU0dFaXhPQnlYc2F3LXpiWkdBVXhuOUFtSVNBcTd4S3M3dEpuc2VQTm90c0FXUmhNeUJvUGVyQVJHbm45VVZnTlljV3U0QXhjaDdjOGU1aHpxeVVsQUZvY3FMVnVfaFhHLWx4aw?oc=5), [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)) - German industrial orders rebounded by 4.4% in September, driven by the automotive sector. (3 independent sources: [中金在线](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMia0FVX3lxTE5XdTVqOXV3ZHA1cEgzQ3VrU0VpNWVESXAtZjY0UTFWZUdUaG1aYno1cExLeUtMZlZmc0dSVGJPdnFjZ0JoQWJtMl9IaW5aRmtEYTFJeWQ1WGZVMmVwNjluZnNHSnhEeXpPcFdZ?oc=5), [Produktion Online](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMixwFBVV95cUxORG9vYzQ5aTdKMFhoYXdneWVCOEt6a1FGTENsOFFockdFR1h5bUZHd1R3bk85WFM0N09pT1AwaEJIU0sxQkMzWmlzRFZFOUlCVXZZSjlGZzFleUJMbjlrV09TQXdqMkV2QkJoby0taUR0aVJfTHlKaW5QTVJ5Y3BzMVV6YlJiZnY5dmVTSEwwQW5waEhTYnlfWGVGOGJva28xS3NwZ3FNRnBaNVFuejJWMFpfdXByeFlWdWFlZDQzUk9paml2Q1Q0?oc=5), [El Economista](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0wJBVV95cUxQWXZHakxLdVRveXVFQkNyNXBGeFhHMHYwZXd2aU5RdFBSNDBLa1A3aXZ4ZEIzdXlZRmdvdV9kRk9UR0RJRnZkSTVZNTB5YjAzS1hxTlVPNnRiM0hMS1hwcmphTjVqV1BRTkRPMHZ0WFdJaUFfdE1qNlVDY2lhbFZMMS14ZUZhdWN5enRwWG9HUmVlbjlZbHpQWGJXNl9oOUstM2FzTExoNUhoR0lmVE5QZUJlV09PTTZ2aGluTWxwMDRJOUR0TUtxRXFyUUtyVTdUM08xVkVYd3p3cGFsTnlyeWZDZ2lsSjZUTm9xZG1GT0FHbHZPT0YxS1ZIU2dpZEVadjlKUXpWZGRMY0NrQi1yU21aZWhQaXFsSGNaMzZkX0l1ejd2MUxyeURPMUF2a3luaHpuUXlZME9QT2lKVkNjZ1pqblh0YXlhTktDM21TQ2FIY2c?oc=5)) - In October, the Ifo business climate index for the German automotive industry rose to -4.1 points. (2 independent sources: [ad-hoc-news.de](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxQd2ZfMmZSemZpQmxxZ1F4VlFzT0VzU0w2WGtnaEdxOE1sb3p1N2lfcUlzc2lYaGQ1WXZKbXRlMUJoQUtaSTVub2ZIdkc3UEMzSncybXlwbnBzQWlfZzlWQUtvOTFySV9URERGbEdCYlB2T1RPVFhTbjlna0t6ZERHV3FLdmZDbmYySk44QWdaUEVBOElKNUpKY3dNOEVuLW5NdHBNbHNubFk5aE0z?oc=5), [trading-house.net](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQSl9NaDR0TjdqVnhGYTl2T2pWUTdMakxoZVo3V2pJbm05REJXaVpEUnZfSlliYlBMb0xsTGprMWpPT3l2bDVOWS1CQ1haTEdVQk5sMUVYbWphNmc0bXFUbG5UdER1SW9XVlduYk5zMmxTSV9kNjRuUW5CeXZJVHdJUEgxQ1kwbEFmdjZ5cTRGdTZSdE80dmYwMDBhdkM2RE5iNlE?oc=5)) **Single source so far** - Schaeffler wants to close four sites in Germany: Dortmund, Morbach, Berlin and Schwalbach. (according to [kfz-betrieb.vogel.de](https://www.kfz-betrieb.vogel.de/schaeffler-streicht-tausende-jobs-und-schliesst-werke-a-5281276e682ead2c34b3b905c859f0a1/)) - 270 jobs in Berlin at Schaeffler are threatened. (according to [Berliner Zeitung](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiygFBVV95cUxQdm9HT2hnbVluZW1pcC1ILWQ2RDVNZm15ZjIzOUpHOEQ5Z294a0tRa3Q2Vzd5c2FYS2RtVXhqTUlDajI2Wk9PbkZCLXFZMkFsT2ViTFFJbHY1VWo3RkNURWF2Zk1fZ3pYOGpWQWtqci1pSmJFNkZteTFTdDRvaWZtSThoRktZNDNkWFE2SWYwUWdHQ3l6elM2UlJCdFoyTzNxN0diLXNUR0x4OUxCdkJtVVBBN3ZibEJMR2hWZU9rTWlLZ0NubE1ydGVn?oc=5)) - Schaeffler plans to cut hundreds of jobs in Slovakia. (according to [The Slovak Spectator](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNWmFlN3hQYU03REFBN1g3TVNBenlTWEphaXJIbjl0MUhsd0U3blFycWJzTlg1dFd4ems1R1c1cUZlWXZLT0s4WWo2OXhJdWpkVHdqM1Z6N1dhcmpLeG8zQ0QxaHdEc0V6cmV1YXJlcHp2NWZZTnpNT1JnVkU2SmRxWHI1Q05za0dnREJhZUtZZTFsQTJ0TWEzMzdiSDYwelo5YmlEU1BDeUJaX1l3?oc=5)) - Schaeffler cites competitive pressure, declining demand for internal combustion vehicles and electrification that arrived too late. (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)) - The VDA reports 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)) - The automotive industry is reducing its research budgets. (according to [FAZ](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi-AFBVV95cUxPai1qNFJIVWMtdWVrQjZKY1Z3bjFiSU5OY29LSTI4OUVlZ2JSTGJQV2huYnBXT0NRZHVuMkhONXZRaEwtNkZfZ1JUcDFfUUZEQkxFY3BMMzhBNDJhbkF1RlhNc0E4NjYtcGVqMmFTV25Td3RlOU01dkthZDk3MnZodENaaVlaSHR3cDFWWDlOUkY5ZFFSRnNwMjJzZGtMOWVZV2lUUnlVUnVYcGE5bHlpa2YzTEJlTF9Za09oZTZMVjlvcG5NWjJWbjl4NHIxLW5oUVp6U2VkUEo1Ml9ueDV2aTNpd0QzRGhGQThaMTI3VzYwTUZiWjUzdA?oc=5)) **Updates** - 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 strike movement at Audi and Mercedes concerns 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 the structure of a company or sector, which may result in calling into question all or part of its activities and lead to job cuts or closures of production or management sites. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restructuration)) - **Warning strike**: Short-duration protest action, organized to signal dissatisfaction before possible 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**: Industrial company that designs, manufactures and supplies components, systems or modules for automakers (original equipment) and/or the aftermarket. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89quipementier_automobile)) - **Ifo barometer**: Business sentiment indicator in Germany, for which sources do not provide a detailed definition; it is mentioned as signaling an improvement in sector sentiment. ([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: 68 articles, 48 outlets - France: 8 articles, 8 outlets - United States: 8 articles, 6 outlets - China: 7 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 (68), English (17), French (9), Chinese (7), Spanish (4), Italian (2), Korean (1), Dutch (1), Japanese (1) ## Timeline (20 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, 32 articles · Allemagne ### 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 — [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, “Schaeffler, Audi and the crisis of the German automotive industry”, https://mecapress.com/stories/164-schaeffler-audi-and-the-crisis-of-the-german-automotive-industry Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology