Audi is witnessing a global decline in customer orders in the electric luxury class segment. This affects the Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron models, which roll off the production line in Brussels. Audi is therefore considering the early end of production at the Brussels site.

The Board of Management of Audi Brussels has informed the Company Council of its intention to carry out a restructuring of the site. By stating this intention, the information and consultation process begins in accordance with Belgian law. In this process, the plant management discusses solutions for the site together with the responsible social partners. This may also include a cessation of operations if no alternative is found.

The Audi Q8 e-tron model family, which is currently produced at the Audi site in Brussels, is affected by a segment-specific intensified drop in demand. The Q8 e-tron marked the start of electric mobility for Audi in 2018, and it ran successfully worldwide for many years. With the ramp-up of the new models on the Premium Platform Electric, the company is now seeing a drop in demand for the Q8 e-tron. This has resulted in a sharp drop in incoming orders.

This is accompanied by long-standing structural challenges at the Brussels site: The plant layout is difficult to change due to the production facility's particular location close to the city center. There are also high logistics costs. Overall, this leads to high production costs in Brussels compared to other sites. Following an intensive review of the market situation and the general conditions at the Brussels site, Audi is considering the early end of production of the Q8 e-tron model series.

Audi Site Brussels, Belgium

This may have an impact on employment at the site and may make it necessary to develop alternative solutions for the plant. This may also include a cessation of operations if no alternative is found. As a result, the Board of Management of Audi Brussels has informed the Company Council of their intention to carry out a restructuring of the site. This announcement triggers the launch of the information and consultation process with the Company Council of Audi Brussels, in accordance with Belgian law. In the course of this process, the company management will discuss solutions for the employees and the site together with the responsible social partners, and examine alternatives in detail.