Audi could eliminate as much as 15% of its German workforce while targeting an earnings boost of about 6 billion euros ($6.6 billion). The goal is to restructure and transition to electric car production.
The German brand sent out an official statement confirming that 9,500 jobs will be cut by 2025, but that at the same time, 2,000 new positions will be created for electric mobility and digitalization specialists, reports Autonews Europe.
The reduction in jobs will take place through employee turnover and a new “attractive early-retirement program”. Also, an equivalent percentage staff reduction will take place in management, said the automaker.
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Audi is also extending the employment guarantee for its workforce up to the end of 2029, excluding terminations for operational reasons until December 31 of the aforementioned year.
“The company must become lean and fit for the future, which means that some job profiles will no longer be needed and new ones will be created. That is why Audi is investing systematically in future-oriented qualification measures for the employees and thus in the future of the two sites in Germany.”
Audi’s electrified push will include five fully-electric models and seven plug-in hybrid cars in the next two years alone. By 2025, their lineup will consist of more than 30 electrified cars.
As for the Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm plants, the former’s annual capacity will be 450,000 vehicles, while the latter will churn out 225,000 vehicles. In the future, both sites will be able to manufacture electric models, with the Neckarsulm one responsible for the all-electric Audi e-tron GT come next year.
