BMW has launched a voluntary redundancy program in Germany that will run through the end of 2027. The company’s workforce is expected to shrink by approximately 8,000 employees. The program will apply to administrative and research & development divisions, while production operations will remain unaffected.
BMW has become the latest automaker forced to undertake large-scale restructuring. Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz have already announced plans to eliminate tens of thousands of jobs, while Porsche this week unveiled a strategy to reduce its workforce by nearly 20% by 2035. At the same time, thousands of Audi employees have staged protests against the possible closure of production facilities in Germany.
Back in June, BMW lowered its profit outlook for 2026 following a significant deterioration in its performance in China. In the world’s largest automotive market, German brands are steadily losing ground to rapidly expanding Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers. Intensifying price competition, slowing economic growth, and shifting consumer preferences toward domestic brands are increasingly weighing on the financial performance of Europe’s leading automakers.
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