Volkswagen workers protest after profit outlook is slashed

Tens of thousands of auto workers staged demonstrations across Germany on Monday, September 21, demanding protection for jobs and factories. The IG Metall union reported that as many as 100,000 employees joined events across 280 nationwide locations, involving workers from Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche and key suppliers.

The protests follow Volkswagen's decision on Friday, September 18, to slash its profit outlook. The carmaker cited weaker conditions in China, restructuring costs tied to early retirement schemes, and a 6 billion euro writedown linked to Porsche. In China, the automotive market has declined by about a fifth this year, amplifying competitive pressure on the German manufacturer.

The demonstrations also come after Volkswagen announced plans earlier in the month to double its global workforce reductions to 100,000 roles. These cuts focus primarily on core markets in Europe and Germany, targeting high-cost plants where future operations remain undecided. In response to rising pressure from Chinese competitors, the head of IG Metall called on Monday for European tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles to be increased and expanded in scope.