- Unpredictability looms over Mercedes in Ludwigsfelde, as per Brandenburg.
The Mercedes-Benz plant in Ludwigsfelde, Brandenburg, faces an uncertain future as the company plans to phase out the series production of Sprinter models by the end of 2029. This decision has sparked concerns among local workers, the IG Metall union, and the Brandenburg state government.
The SPD's Daniel Keller, the Brandenburg Minister of Economics, has confirmed the uncertainties surrounding the future of the Sprinter series production by Mercedes-Benz in Ludwigsfelde. The government is pushing for adequate compensation for any potential loss of production at the plant.
In an effort to secure the plant's future, IG Metall union has planned an action day for Saturday, September 13. The union aims to fight for the plant in Ludwigsfelde, seeking compensation or alternative solutions for the workforce.
Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz has referred to its realignment of vans announced in May 2023. The company plans to shift e-Sprinter production to Poland, transforming the Ludwigsfelde site into a competence center for individualized production. This move could significantly downsize industrial-scale manufacturing and employment after 2029.
The Ludwigsfelde plant currently produces open variants of the Sprinter and e-Sprinter, as long as there is demand from customers. In addition, a ramp-up factory for the electric platform Van.EA has been established at the plant.
The CDU state parliamentarian Danny Eichelbaum has called on Minister President Dietmar Woidke (SPD) to make the future of the Mercedes-Benz plant in Ludwigsfelde a top priority. Eichelbaum's party, the CDU, is also concerned about the potential impact on the auto industry in Brandenburg.
Despite the challenges, the Ludwigsfelde plant remains a modern facility with a qualified and highly motivated workforce. An employment security agreement has been negotiated between management and the works council, securing employment until the end of December 2029. Further options are being examined in coordination with the social partners at the plant.
However, no solution has been found for the period from 2030 onwards that could provide full compensation for the phasing out of production at a constant employment level. The future of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter series production location in Ludwigsfelde will continue to be a topic of discussion and negotiation among the Brandenburg state government, the company’s management, and labor representatives.
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