Closure of Brussels Audi factory is certain, unions say

The closure of the Audi factory in Forest is all but certain, according to unions, following confirmation from a works council that the Volkswagen group, under which Audi falls, will not allocate a new model to be manufactured at the Forest plant.

“That means the factory will close,” the joint union front said, with Audi Brussels spokesperson Peter D'Hoore confirming that “there are no car projects nor production volumes planned for our plant in the coming years”.

“After intensive analysis, it is reconfirmed that no Volkswagen Group vehicle will be allocated to the plant,” he added.

Audi Forest has been struggling for some time as demand for the electric Q8 e-tron, the only model produced there, failed to meet expectations.

In early July, management announced an intention to restructure the Brussels plant, which was said to be in bad competitive shape due to high labour costs and a difficult location, prompting concern from workers.

The proposed restructuring involved the possible elimination of 1,500 jobs in October and possibly more than 1,100 next year, with the last to then disappear by the end of 2025.

Audi said at the time that it was still looking for other avenues, including producing a new Audi model or other parts at the plant – an option that now seems to be off the table.

The possibility of another car brand taking over the plant remains, according to a statement from unions.

"The management has made allusions to alternative projects many times," the unions said. "We have asked for these to be clarified at the next special works council on 17 September. We want detailed information on the options and an overview of possible acquirers."

MP Axel Ronse (N-VA) called for an special meeting in parliament to discuss the situation at the car plant, saying that “either the site is earmarked for manufacturing other vehicles or another carmaker should be attracted for similar activities”.

According to social affairs and employment committee chairman Denis Ducarme (MR), the first step – as was also agreed at a committee meeting in July – is to visit the plant with a delegation of MPs.

Ducarme said that there was contact with the trade unions about this and the intention is to organise the visit as soon as possible. After that, consideration could be given to convening an additional committee.

In the meantime, 300 workers already abandoned hope, not turning up for their shifts on Wednesday.

“We held a show of hands to decide whether or not to resume work, and the workers unanimously decided not to go back to work,” Carmello Liberto of the FGTB union explained.

“The workers are really disappointed and no longer have any hope.”

Other workers remain active at the factory, where a few activists have come to show solidarity for workers in the face of the plant’s closure.