Amid significant labor strikes causing turmoil in Germany, Volkswagen appears to be shifting the production of its ID. Buzz retro-style electric minivan out of the country.
The ID. Buzz is currently manufactured in Hanover, Germany, but due to falling short of production targets, Volkswagen may shift all or part of its production to a facility in Poznan, Poland, according to a report by Hannoversche Allgemeine (via Electrive).
The ID. Buzz has struggled to meet its annual target of 130,000 vehicles, with fewer than 15,000 delivered in the first half of the year. Since summer, both production lines at the Hanover plant have operated on two daytime shifts, without requiring night shifts.
In Germany, over 100,000 workers at nine Volkswagen factories, including its EV-only facility, staged a strike this week, halting assembly lines for hours on Monday. The walkout highlights ongoing disputes over reduced pay, job cuts, and concerns about the automaker’s future direction.
The strike follows weeks of tense collective bargaining, during which Volkswagen stood firm on plans to potentially close at least three factories and cut thousands of jobs—a first in its 87-year history in Germany. The automaker also aims to reduce pay for remaining employees by 10%, measures it deems necessary to stay competitive amidst fierce competition from China.
Relocating the ID. Buzz production out of Germany would be a significant blow to the German plant, and there has been no indication yet of what, if anything, might take its place.
