The management of Audi Brussels has officially ended its search for a takeover bid, with the only potential buyer for its Forest production site withdrawing from negotiations.
This announcement was made on Tuesday during an extraordinary works council meeting, leaving workers and unions to face the difficult reality of the plant’s closure in February 2025.
According to Christian unions CNE and ACV, Audi Brussels will no longer actively pursue any new takeover candidates, though it remains open to future proposals.
The decision marks a significant shift in the company’s strategy, as the search for a buyer had been a key aspect of efforts to save jobs at the site.
The impending closure will result in the redundancy of approximately 3,000 Audi employees, in addition to more than 1,000 workers employed by various subcontractors at the site.
Production at the facility, which has been focused on electric models such as the Q8 e-tron, will cease next year, leaving many in the local workforce uncertain about their future.
Audi Brussels announced plans to restructure the site in July, citing a slowdown in demand for its electric vehicle models.
The company’s parent organization, the Volkswagen Group, confirmed in September that it would no longer produce any car models at the Forest plant.
Despite extensive discussions about repurposing the site, Audi has stated that it has found no viable alternative uses for the facility.
The closure is further complicated by a strike at Imperial Logistics, a key supplier to Audi Brussels, which has halted the delivery of essential car parts.
As a result, production at the site has been halted for most of the past two weeks, deepening concerns over the plant’s future.
Unions have expressed frustration over the lack of communication from Audi management throughout the process.
CNE, in particular, criticized the company’s handling of the takeover search, accusing management of withholding information about potential buyers and not providing enough transparency about the negotiations.
“The lack of clarity surrounding the takeover attempts is extremely troubling,” said CNE representative Christophe Dierickx.
“There were reports of up to 24 alternatives for the site, and 26 potential buyers mentioned in the negotiations. The workers deserve to know the full details of these offers.”
The union has also called for urgent intervention from the Federal Government’s task force, requesting a meeting with Audi Brussels management to demand transparency regarding the failed takeover efforts.
Last month, CNE threatened legal action against Audi for failing to adequately communicate with workers about the status of negotiations.
For now, the future of the Audi Brussels plant appears uncertain, with workers anxiously awaiting the final confirmation of the closure and what support they may receive in the aftermath.
As the February 2025 closure date draws nearer, the unions are stepping up their efforts to ensure that the workers’ rights and interests are protected during this difficult transition.
