Audi Brussels considers restarting production
The Audi plant in Brussels is considering restarting production. It would be the first time since early November that the plant's assembly line would be running again.
Audi Brussels has been virtually idle for months. First, news of the plant's impending closure led to an internal strike, followed by a long strike at a supplier.
Now that the supplier strike is over, the company will see if it can start making cars again. "We have always said that if we have all the parts we need, we will resume production," said plant spokesman Peter D'hoore.
Permanent closure
Early next week, the plant will check to see if all the parts are indeed available and coordinate internally on the best time and way to restart production, D'hoore said.
Any restart will be temporary. On February 28, Audi Brussels will close its doors for good. The German carmaker is struggling with overcapacity, and the Brussels plant is paying the price for higher production costs compared to other Audi sites.
Experts have previously pointed to labor costs in Belgium, as well as the difficult location of the factory, wedged between a residential neighborhood and the railway in the Brussels municipality of Forest.
© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM
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