Severe earthquake in Germany, closure of VW factory is 'tip of iceberg' - symbol of industrial decline

MSN - 06/09
On a Monday afternoon in mid-August, employees at the Volkswagen (VW) electric vehicle (EV) factory in Zwickau, eastern Germany, were working with stiff expressions on their faces. The factory had laid off hundreds of temporary workers and eliminated night shifts.

(Bloomberg) -- On a Monday afternoon in mid-August, workers at the Volkswagen (VW) electric vehicle (EV) plant in Zwickau, eastern Germany, were working with stiff faces. The factory had laid off hundreds of temporary workers and eliminated night shifts.

There was already an ominous feeling in the air. ``Honestly, I was in a nervous mood,'' said Ronnie Zehe, assembly manager at VW's Zwickau plant, one of its newest and most efficient plants.

Three weeks later, VW, known for the Beetle, issued a warning that it would have to close a factory for the first time in its 87-year history. The future of workers at VW factories is at risk.

Immediately before VW's shocking announcement, political alarm bells were ringing as far-right forces won landslide victories in elections in two ...
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