Daily brief
Automotive & Business Brief — 21 September 2026
IG Metall nationwide auto action day today — ~280 actions across ~100 DE OEM/supplier sites; local-content push.
Executive Snapshot
- IG Metall nationwide auto action day today — ~280 actions across ~100 DE OEM/supplier sites; local-content push.
Top Developments
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IG Metall nationwide auto action day — today
Europe
Mon 21 Sep: IG Metall protests at DE OEM & supplier sites. IndustriALL: ~280 actions / ~100 sites (Audi/BMW/Bosch focus). Demands: site investment, 35-hour week, local content. EU campaign → Strasbourg 24 Nov.
Companies Audi, BMW, Bosch
Sources
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Unifor–Stellantis Monday AM: CA expired — still no legal strike
Americas
CA expired Sun 20 Sep 23:59 local. Mon AM: no new strike call/vote date. Unifor 16 Sep: still in conciliation; not legal strike at expiry. Impasse: Brampton–Roshel MOU; L1285 income security extended. Talks paused ~11 Sep.
Companies Stellantis
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Mirafiori: production stop today (Carrozzeria + Presse)
Europe
Today Mon 21 Sep further Mirafiori stop (Radiocor: 500 Carrozzeria; local press: + Presse). Hybrid demand vs engine-component supply. H1’26 ~36k vs ~15k H1’25. Unions want a second model.
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EU–China hybrids: MOFCOM rejects VER; Klingbeil pushes PHEV tariffs
Europe
FT: EU seeking ~15% voluntary hybrid cap or higher tariffs; China hybrids ~3.8k→~50k. MOFCOM 18 Sep: voluntary limits violate WTO — firmly opposed. Klingbeil urged EU PHEV tariffs + tighter local content.
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VW FY2026 ORS cut — Monday status
Global
No Mon ad-hoc beyond Fri 18 Sep: ORS up to 1% (was 4.0–5.5%); ~€10bn specials incl. ~€6bn Porsche goodwill (Q3). Underlying ~4% ex specials. Q3 report 29 Oct.
Companies Volkswagen, Porsche
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Mercedes: new GLA SOP at Rastatt (EV + 48V hybrid flex)
Europe
17 Sep: GLA series production at Rastatt; BEV running; 48V hybrids later this year on flexible line. Low-three-digit-million € Hall 4.1 (2027); MB.OS + digital twins.
Companies Mercedes-Benz
Sources
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Volvo Ghent → multi-brand contract manufacturing
Europe
17 Sep: Ghent becomes Volvo’s only EU contract-manufacturing plant (with Chengdu). Overcapacity acknowledged; ~€119m Belgian support. Second brand unnamed (Geely-group expected).
Companies Volvo Cars, Geely
Sources
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Bosch Mobility: 13k cuts + call for EU ‘Made in EU’ rules
Europe
16 Sep: Bosch Mobility works council demands EU local-production rules; Bosch cutting 13,000 automotive jobs by decade-end.
Companies Bosch
Sources
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Rosenberger HVR®210 + INFAC/Vicor 48V zonal (HV/EE)
Global
Rosenberger Sep: HVR210 up to 1,200 V / 208 A; automation-ready for harness makers. Vicor 10 Sep: INFAC integrates 800V→48V DC-DC inside the battery pack — cuts HV cable length; enables 48V zonal distribution.
Companies Rosenberger, Vicor
Sources
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BMW Debrecen 24h ops + Lear peer awards/automation
Europe
BMW PressClub 17 Sep: Debrecen iX3 to 24-hour ops; trade notes third shift / strong EU demand. Lear @ MS Laguna 16 Sep: ~$2.9bn awards (>$500m E-Systems); WIP automation + BMW automated taping.
Companies BMW, Lear
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BYD/peers scour EU plants ahead of local-content rules
Europe
Reuters 17 Sep (Altavilla): Chinese OEMs racing to buy/refurbish EU plants. BYD wants full ownership; Spain/France most actionable; Italy plan B. Hungary early production; 2nd site by YE; long-term ~3 assembly + 1 battery.
Companies BYD
Sources