It’s no secret that Volkswagen has been seriously preparing for its long-term future. Over in China, the German carmaker has initiated a 50-vehicle product offensive that will unfold over the next four years.
Closer to its home market, the automotive group previously announced it would halve the number of nameplates it produces and reduce the range of variants and options for each model. These plans are also slated to roll out by 2030.
And more recently, a report from Reuters and German news outlet Wirtschaftswoche shared that Volkswagen is now considering closing four of its home factories. While the company has yet to make any formal announcements about closures, the plans were apparently cited on an official 147-page supervisory board paper.
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Potentially, the first facilities to close will be Volkswagen’s Emden and Zwickau plants in 2031. The pair primarily assemble fully electric models, with the former centered on the ID. 4, the ID. 7 and the ID. 7 Tourer, while the latter focuses on the ID. 3.
More possible closures may then take place in 2032, with Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle factory in Hanover, and then finally in 2034 at the company’s plant in Neckarsulm. That particular facility actually builds Audi vehicles, and it is also speculated that its production lines will eventually move to Leipzig.
It has been an interesting year so far for Volkswagen, to say the least. While these speculative closures loom over its head, the brand still managed to launch new vehicles and nameplates. The fan-favorite Polo is now offered in a fully electric GTI configuration, while the fresh ID. Cross is positioned to attract another wave of buyers. Let’s see if these efforts pay off.
