Facing difficulties because of the supply problems is the core plant in Wolfsburg, which produces the majority of the 2.000 Golfs per day - the average daily production of the best selling VW model – and two more plants producing other car parts. One is a company producing textile and leather parts for car interiors, and the other supplies transmission components.
The reasons for the halt in production are not yet clear. German media report that there is a dispute because of disagreements over the introduction of lower salaries, demanded by the VW Group. The car maker wants to cut costs due to the emissions fraud scandal.

Workers with shortened working hours
Volkswagen plans to stop the production of cars in Wolfsburg for at least five days. At the moment it is still unclear whether the production of the Passat model will also be stopped, together with the Golf. Volkswagen employs around 60.000 people at its factory in Wolfsburg. The company’s core car plant, where VW also produces the Tiguan all-terrain sports vehicle and the Touran compact MPV, will reportedly also cut the working hours for around 20.000 workers at four plants.

According to some German media VW is considering undertaking all legal measures at its disposal to enforce its suppliers to fulfill their obligations towards the company. Last week the business concern did receive a court ruling, according to which its suppliers are required to start delivering the car parts, however the latter have still not implemented the ruling.

Gregor Prebil; translated by K. J.