Crisis at VW: Scratches in the paint at Volkswagen

Volkswagen is facing a crisis with possible layoffs in several plants, weak sales in China, and the expiration of purchase premiums for electric cars. Lower Saxony and the works council have a say in the situation.

Historical models of job security in 1994 and the Hartz model in 2000 are being referenced. Politicians like Scholz, Heil, and Lies are working to secure locations and jobs, while IG Metall representatives Cavallo and Gröger resist attacks on collective agreements.

Talks between the VW management and employee representatives are being encouraged by Niedersachsens Ministerpräsident Stephan Weil. The VW crisis is having a wider impact on the German auto industry and the country's economy.

The challenges faced by Volkswagen are representative of the weaknesses in the German business model. The industry is also grappling with issues such as the transformation to e-mobility, the global demand shift, and the need for investment in future technologies.

The crisis has led to a sharp decline in the stock prices of German automakers, but experts believe in a potential recovery, despite the structural problems in the industry.