German car industry warns of job collapse unless ‘bold decisions’ made to address Chinese threat

VW workers join nationwide protests in Hanover about wage cuts in 2024. More protests are planned over job losses. Photograph: Victoria Waldersee/Reuters

The German car industry has warned of a potential collapse of employment in the sector in Europe unless society and workers accept that “bold decisions” are needed to address competition from the Chinese and other rivals.

Volkswagen is preparing to formally propose up to 100,000 job losses, a move that has triggered a wave of protests.