At the end of September, the German automotive industry had 721,400 employees, the lowest value since 2011, and large companies like Volkswagen and Ford are reducing the workforce.

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, the automotive industry in Germany recorded 721,400 employees at the end of September, the lowest value since 2011, with a decrease of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The manufacturing sector as a whole had approximately 5.43 million employees, down by 120,300 people. Large companies such as Volkswagen, Ford, Continental, and Bosch have announced significant staff reductions to maintain their competitiveness, with Volkswagen planning to cut 35,000 jobs by 2030. The automotive industry is facing challenges such as high taxes in the US and supply difficulties with semiconductors. However, a survey conducted by the Ifo economic institute shows an improvement in sentiment in the sector, with a business climate index rising from minus 21.3 points in September to minus 12.9 points in October.