# BMW launches a workforce reduction plan and lowers its forecasts

> BMW is undertaking a cost‑saving program marked by the elimination of 8,000 positions in Germany, with severance packages that may exceed €650,000, and about 1,800 positions in China. The manufacturer lowers its profit forecasts for the second time, causing its share price to fall, while anticipating a slight increase in the share of fully electric models in its automotive business. The sub‑events mainly distinguish Germany, where the cuts are the largest and accompanied by high severance payments, from China, where the plan involves a smaller workforce.

**In brief**: Ongoing story bringing together 5 events involving BMW, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz and 1 more, in 2 countries (Allemagne, Chine), followed from 1 November 2026 to 4 November 2026. 31 articles from 11 sources (plants, jobs and earnings); last updated on 4 November 2026 at 03:14. Figures reported: 8000 jobs.

- Status: ongoing
- Scope: International
- Category: Plants, jobs and earnings
- Countries: Allemagne, Chine
- Brands: BMW, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen
- First detected: 1 November 2026 at 06:01
- Updated: 4 November 2026 at 03:14
- Web page: https://mecapress.com/stories/174-bmw-launches-a-workforce-reduction-plan-and-lowers-its-forecasts

## National stories (3)

- Germany — 1 country-specific event, 11 articles
- China — 0 country-specific event, 15 articles
- France — 0 country-specific event, 2 articles

## Reported figures

- 650.000 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**

- BMW lowered its forecasts for fiscal year 2026, adjusting the automotive segment outlook due to non‑operational effects in the fourth quarter. (1 independent sources: [BMW Group (salle de presse)](https://newsroom.bmwgroup.com/global/de/bmw-group-updates-guidance-for-the-2026-financial-year/))
- Reports indicate that BMW Brilliance began layoffs of about 1,800 employees on November 2, mainly production workers. (5 independent sources: [CarNewsChina.com](https://carnewschina.com/2026/11/03/bmw-china-commences-layoffs-affecting-1800-employees-report-says/), [cnevpost.com](https://cnevpost.com/2026/11/03/bmw-brilliance-cuts-jobs-report/), [chinaevhome.com](https://chinaevhome.com/2026/11/03/report-bmw-starts-job-cuts-in-china-around-1800-roles-affected/), [forococheselectricos.com](https://forococheselectricos.com/noticias/bmw-china-despidos-caida-ventas-brilliance-20261103-42661.html), [Auto Plus](https://www.autoplus.fr/actualite/bmw-licencie-1-800-employes-en-chine-et-ce-nest-peut-etre-quun-debut-1474619.html?utm_source=rss_feed&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=unknown))
- BMW lowered its forecasts for the second time since June. (5 independent sources: [Manager Magazin](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3AFBVV95cUxOUEIxYzQtZUpocXZtRENkLWhTZkZxU0E4YUJJekF1aDVLaS1JcDBfR1V2WmFrZHZWNUJZUzZlemlsNV9aX0kzbTJ1N2xpQVBzcUtlVkZUZmc0akFtX3BVYm1nd1RJM3p2SlQzUUE4VklUZlFncUNLWEJqNmpGRi1vSjZsS1BkSlM4YzdNY2psWThJMjZWMzJKeUM0MmhNQlJyTzJST1NpQlFnVVRPSnJOVHY1R09CRUFicHg5MDlRTjFLaE8xQWw2UzFpN1NHRjZlWndWMzNCcjNnNEdC?oc=5), [Automotive News](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMibkFVX3lxTFBVLUdOQzBOa1J5WEw2emIyc3l1X05LSmE2M3hwdVpoN1llaTlha1dMbHJCaHA0bkc0ZFVYVkRzS3dEN3Vlck9PME9wV1RfaE4waFRYMFBPVThRZlY1eWowQmpqMzMxRjN3ZFNlVFpn?oc=5), [autoherald.co.kr](http://www.autoherald.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=62087), [上海有色金属网](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiSkFVX3lxTE5aaUNOUlRxWGQzZHZYeHZfWTdrMzJYM3V3S3c5Q3pMQjV6YXY2VTkzaC1vd3pHcTNid0lGSmNiN0NsSmRFVmdHU3NB?oc=5), [36Kr](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiWEFVX3lxTE1PWnpaQzZDak9zQXN5OHFyNV90UFlBSTJYUHczcGlXOHBiNEtlQkZ6M29nVklrSWwtenNVY0lFbjhGSWtBVWV3bmUtRkVfdm1qc3NHTkdWd1A?oc=5))
- BMW's cost‑saving program led to a profit warning. (4 independent sources: [DIE ZEIT](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiAFBVV95cUxNU1hsSTdLOU9VWjBjMFoxN0xSandiVnhKMURscWU2VlZvU2lINnNTOHBFVDdLRkoybHZGcnV2NEVmZlVtekZwckpqb0NQWVpGbHVIRHdKZ3V4MlVPekFkNi1YMjl3OXlQdVBCNzA2Vkhab3FaR01QZUkxZk00b0dHT1REZ2JyNDBs?oc=5), [SZ.de](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3AFBVV95cUxOY2FjTUNBdURUZE5GVVJjdzBSd2RzUjJFeXhELWliejBKNXJ6WXJqVGJaQmhTNWRQa3Q4NWNDUUVIR1NtQkdxOVpVM1VERVRUcW5WdlZiTVpOaXJQbXk1Vk55WjBDZm0wejQ4RGpUOVJHNmo0RjRuWUR4WG5fY1VXbTNJSUVBWXNTdmdia2ZyMUlOYktEaWdSYV9tTzlQTWVMZDVDcTMwcTdHRFJHSGtRektaQnhaWWxST3VkNXRHcndFUE1ZenVyWjBMODc1cmF6TUJ5eHAwVkdJd210?oc=5), [Tagesspiegel](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxOU3lqLWx1MzZ2eGtHVmRkUGN0aEx3QS14Z1lyZTRqTW4tSWk5TVpNaWZJNGVMbmR1bGVzOTloX1c2dEFIdmlpcE1sYzR2OVdLWHg5LXc5ZFVxdHg2Qkd5ZFZibWxDUWQtOE83YmM1bjF1QnNPOXdMYXlfdTNwejZmOFpreE9zMmkyWWp5TXdlWnpreEJnS3pwTVR1Q0E0ZkEyQ0tQdG5QWEp1Wlg1YUJFeXAzdFYydw?oc=5), [WirtschaftsWoche](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisAFBVV95cUxQQ3RkTUVzOEtQX2V5dkpyQkZ6SG9yd2lGMmJnQjNZTlNvcXF3eTdYemo0ZHdrZHpjZncydm1vX1pZUFFsU2taclJlbVBvck1JTmtiRC1sM1BpMXFLMVh5OWlzdzNKUmdqQm1kUndnZUhDQnBlYTVWaVAzSndCNEFWa3Vpa0xrNDFCNmxaUzRwMGxTWk1QSEt1LXRhU01NblJYeS1vYTVMM1lnS3pWQmsyLQ?oc=5))

**Single source so far**

- BMW eliminates 8,000 positions, with severance packages that may exceed €650,000. (according to [ad-hoc-news.de](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxNQkNib2dnQng4QWhnbDg2NWtWcDhuLUZ3b0tSb05Wc3NvSW4ycEhJSExQR3k3cW14NEpSSmE1V0pIM3VlMVA2OUNRbGEwVFFrUHI5RWpnczlZQTJ5cF9oU19vZVNRYXdXMUhUenZxRC1HN0pHZVNMaVVVQTJNa1FFSHhidmRIMktGaG5UUE1ZdlZMdUJHV0lRdnRmY3JhUktoazdyV2NVSGJIX1ZaZ3pZTllSN1BjUWd3YWhr?oc=5))
- BMW expects an automotive EBIT margin between -0.5% and 0.5% for the fiscal year, compared with 1% to 3% previously. (according to [汇通网](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiZ0FVX3lxTFBMeUxfOFdzakhtTlhhTDRMcUdVZnhwb0VzT1l6MnlMbWJ2NEhUcWI4c3dQcGlUY2t0LVJjdEwxU0x1MlVXc1dQYXRRbUgtRmdrV1hGN2l2ZHRFRnpNcmZwdG5BQWNWYnc?oc=5))
- BMW's share price fell after the forecast reduction. (according to [Manager Magazin](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi3AFBVV95cUxOUEIxYzQtZUpocXZtRENkLWhTZkZxU0E4YUJJekF1aDVLaS1JcDBfR1V2WmFrZHZWNUJZUzZlemlsNV9aX0kzbTJ1N2xpQVBzcUtlVkZUZmc0akFtX3BVYm1nd1RJM3p2SlQzUUE4VklUZlFncUNLWEJqNmpGRi1vSjZsS1BkSlM4YzdNY2psWThJMjZWMzJKeUM0MmhNQlJyTzJST1NpQlFnVVRPSnJOVHY1R09CRUFicHg5MDlRTjFLaE8xQWw2UzFpN1NHRjZlWndWMzNCcjNnNEdC?oc=5))
- BMW expects a slight increase in the share of fully electric models in its automotive business in 2026. (according to [新浪财经](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiS0FVX3lxTE9yR1E2QVNJYk53alY4NUpFelNYSDN4bXZzTU9iOXBLOFZfTUtITzRVYjY4OXo4cjlfUklrX2FGelN0djFXejlHa0pIaw?oc=5))
- BMW expects a moderate decline in automotive deliveries for the current fiscal year. (according to [新浪财经](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiS0FVX3lxTE5fc0lRUDVQenItQ0FpVGVrYUlUWldWdWpjWjBiZ183dFNwdUEwenBjd1lRMS1UcjdaY0tfd3NUczNHT3dYaGtVeGFIZw?oc=5))
- BMW could record a loss in its automotive business this year. (according to [SZ.de](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikwFBVV95cUxOMWZqMHJqcDZCZmpQaXFfUE1EWEVBaGhaTG1WTEM2QXFPS0dLTlZZenBTVi14UkxocFZmTDdYcm1jbmhoRWFRWTF6OVpPRGNwb1pwNUltWHZ0bDdLaG16YzNFOW4tUzBqcXZ5YU5mZDJ6RkNmM0RrYzg1amxSenFKRnlRVUlvRlpGMGZJRkt0bXdoXzQ?oc=5))

**Updates**

- 4 November 2026 at 02:47: Automotive EBIT margin forecast reduced from 1%–3% to -0.5%–0.5%.

**Checked on the web**

_Automatic web search, official sources first; “contradicted” only when an official source is cited._

- Not confirmed at this stage: BMW lowered its forecasts for fiscal year 2026, adjusting the automotive segment outlook due to non‑operational effects in the fourth quarter. ([apps.eurofound.europa.eu](https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/300825) (official), [bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-29/bmw-offers-buyouts-to-thousands-of-german-workers-to-cut-costs), [live.euronext.com](https://live.euronext.com/en/financial-news/bmw-bets-cuts-new-models-and-ai-revive-its-fortunes-0), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/bmw-cut-several-thousand-jobs-under-voluntary-redundancy-programme-2026-07-29), [bnnbloomberg.ca](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2026/09/30/bmw-bets-on-cuts-new-models-and-ai-to-revive-its-fortunes))
- Not confirmed at this stage: Reports indicate that BMW Brilliance began layoffs of about 1,800 employees on November 2, mainly production workers. ([bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-29/bmw-offers-buyouts-to-thousands-of-german-workers-to-cut-costs), [bnnbloomberg.ca](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2026/09/30/bmw-bets-on-cuts-new-models-and-ai-to-revive-its-fortunes), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/bmw-cut-several-thousand-jobs-under-voluntary-redundancy-programme-2026-07-29), [bnnbloomberg.ca](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2026/09/30/bmw-targets-margin-recovery-with-cuts-and-local-production/), [cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/29/bmw-to-cut-several-thousand-jobs-in-latest-blow-to-german-auto-sector.html))
- Not confirmed at this stage: BMW eliminates 8,000 positions, with severance packages that may exceed €650,000. ([apps.eurofound.europa.eu](https://apps.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/300825) (official), [bloomberg.com](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-29/bmw-offers-buyouts-to-thousands-of-german-workers-to-cut-costs), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/bmw-cut-several-thousand-jobs-under-voluntary-redundancy-programme-2026-07-29), [bnnbloomberg.ca](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2026/09/30/bmw-targets-margin-recovery-with-cuts-and-local-production/), [cnbc.com](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/29/bmw-to-cut-several-thousand-jobs-in-latest-blow-to-german-auto-sector.html))

## Background

_Context and reference points, separate from the story’s news; every item links to its source._

**Key terms**

- **Workforce reduction plan**: A framework governing collective redundancies to limit their negative consequences; under French labor law, the employment preservation plan (PSE) is mandatory in companies employing at least 50 employees when economic layoffs affect at least 10 people within the same 30‑day period. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_de_sauvegarde_de_l%27emploi))
- **Severance packages**: The amount most often paid to a former employee as compensation following dismissal without their prior consent and even if they have committed no professional misconduct; it may also be paid to an employee who retires. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indemnit%C3%A9_de_d%C3%A9part))

**What happens next?**

_What usually happens in this kind of situation, without prejudging the outcome._

1. Generally, the design and implementation of an employment preservation plan fall to the employer, and its adoption may proceed via a collective agreement with majority unions, consultation of the social and economic committee, or a unilateral decision subject to approval. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_de_sauvegarde_de_l%27emploi))
2. After its adoption, employees may challenge the plan's validity before the administrative court, or the real and serious cause of their dismissal before the labor court. ([Wikipédia](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_de_sauvegarde_de_l%27emploi))

## Sources by country and language

- China: 15 articles, 11 outlets
- Germany: 11 articles, 8 outlets
- France: 2 articles, 2 outlets
- Spain: 1 articles, 1 outlets
- South Korea: 1 articles, 1 outlets
- United States: 1 articles, 1 outlets

**Languages**: Chinese (12), German (9), English (6), French (2), Spanish (1), Korean (1)

## Timeline (5 events)

### 1 November 2026 — [BMW cuts 8,000 jobs with severance packages potentially exceeding €650,000](https://mecapress.com/events/1000-bmw-cuts-8-000-jobs-with-severance-packages-potentially-exceeding-650-000.md)

BMW plans to eliminate 8,000 jobs, with severance packages reaching over €650,000.

1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne

### 3 November 2026 — [BMW Chine supprime 1 800 postes](https://mecapress.com/events/3012-bmw-chine-supprime-1-800-postes.md)

BMW engage un plan de réduction d'effectifs en Chine portant sur environ 1 800 salariés, selon la presse.

6 sources, 6 articles · Chine — Chine, Allemagne

### 3 November 2026 — [BMW prévoit une légère hausse de la part des électriques dans son activité automobile](https://mecapress.com/events/3587-bmw-prevoit-une-legere-hausse-de-la-part-des-electriques-dans-son-activite.md)

BMW anticipe une progression modérée de la part des modèles 100 % électriques dans son chiffre d'affaires automobile pour l'exercice en cours.

1 sources, 3 articles · Allemagne

### 3 November 2026 — [BMW abaisse à nouveau ses prévisions de résultats, l'action recule](https://mecapress.com/events/3529-bmw-abaisse-a-nouveau-ses-previsions-de-resultats-l-action-recule.md)

BMW revoit à la baisse ses prévisions de bénéfices pour la deuxième fois, dans le cadre de son programme d'économies, ce qui fait chuter son titre en Bourse.

5 sources, 20 articles · Allemagne — Allemagne, Chine

### 3 November 2026 — [Nouvelle secousse pour BMW](https://mecapress.com/events/3549-nouvelle-secousse-pour-bmw.md)

BMW connaît un nouvel accroc, dans la continuité de la dégradation de ses résultats et de ses réductions de postes en Allemagne et en Chine.

1 sources, 1 articles · Allemagne

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Cite as: Mecapress, “BMW launches a workforce reduction plan and lowers its forecasts”, https://mecapress.com/stories/174-bmw-launches-a-workforce-reduction-plan-and-lowers-its-forecasts
Methodology: https://mecapress.com/methodology