German auto expert urges VW to end 35-hour week

Automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer is urging Volkswagen to abandon the 35-hour work week and revert to a 40-hour schedule without a corresponding pay increase. Dudenhöffer, head of the private Center Automotive Research (CAR) institute, stated that this measure could partially resolve the issue of high production costs plaguing the German auto industry.

"Let's discard collective bargaining autonomy for a few years!" Dudenhöffer declared, calling for joint discussions among politicians, unions, and companies. He asserted that employees must make sacrifices, as Germany has become too prosperous while international competition has intensified.

Despite the current challenges, the economist sees potential for German automakers. He predicts a possible upswing in five to seven years but warns that the intervening period will be "really tough" and require immense effort. Dudenhöffer refuted claims that manufacturers have neglected electromobility, pointing to VW's investment in a dedicated EV factory as the first by a European manufacturer. He also cited Skoda as an example of a brand capable of producing advanced, competitive vehicles, suggesting a general accusation of automakers being complacent is incorrect.

Dudenhöffer criticized the lack of concrete outcomes from a recent VW supervisory board meeting, stating that "uncertainty remains, which is not good for customers, employees, and investors." Reports suggest Volkswagen could face massive job cuts, with estimates ranging from 100,000 to 120,000 positions globally. Several German VW plants, including Hannover, Emden, Zwickau, and Neckarsulm, reportedly face closure.