The car company Volkswagen has big problems. Boss Oliver Blume wants to save money. He wants to build fewer types of cars. He also wants to close factories in Germany. Many jobs are in danger. In Germany, 100,000 jobs might end. There is a fight in the supervisory board. The workers say no to the plans. The state of Lower Saxony also says no.
The crisis is hard for Austria. 135 companies in Austria work with Volkswagen. 6,300 people work on orders from Volkswagen. 110,000 jobs depend on the car industry. Many shops in Styria and Upper Austria send parts to Germany. If Volkswagen builds fewer cars, these shops earn less money. Experts say: Electric cars need fewer workers.
Mistakes in China are one reason. People in China buy fewer German cars. The change to electric cars is hard. Companies in Austria are afraid about prices. They cannot sell parts for less money. Big companies like Magna feel the pressure. In September, the bosses of Volkswagen talk about the savings.
