Efforts are being made to save Audi Brussels from closure and preserve the jobs of the 3,000 employees at the car factory. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has called for a meeting with the governments of our country and the top management of Audi on Friday to explore all possible options to prevent the closure of Audi Brussels.
The decision comes after Audi announced the elimination of all 371 temporary jobs in Vorst due to decreased demand for the Audi Q8 e-tron, the only model produced in Forest. Concerns have been raised by unions about the future of the factory, especially since the successor to the Q8 e-tron will be produced in Mexico, not in Forest.
To find solutions to keep the factory operational and protect the thousands of jobs at stake, De Croo is forming a task force with regional prime ministers and a delegation from Audi leadership. This may include training support for new model development, subsidies, energy bill reductions, and adjustments to investment deductions. The government is also considering providing guarantees to Audi through a letter of intent, which can be implemented even by a caretaker government considering the upcoming elections on June 9.
While efforts are underway to secure a positive outcome for Audi Brussels and its employees, there is still uncertainty about what lies ahead for this important factory and its people.