German economy minister steps in to help Volkswagen as it faces factory closure risks

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Friday that he wants to help Volkswagen get through this period of cost-cutting without site closures. During a visit to the carmaker's factory in Emden, the minister said he also wants to ensure that personnel policy measures remain within the normal collective bargaining framework. However, the minister said there were limits to what his government could do to support Volkswagen, adding that the structure and viability of a business was down to company policy.

"A large part of the tasks have to be dealt with by Volkswagen itself," he told reporters. "This is the company's job.” Politicians could help by improving the framework and sending the right market signals, the minister said, adding that this included incentivising the switch to electric motors.



.