The Splicer

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Automotive & Business Brief — 24 September 2026

Mercedes floats conditional two-plant closures; IG Metall tables 5% at VW; Future Plan pressure into 30 Sep labour meeting.

Executive Snapshot

  • Mercedes floats conditional two-plant closures; IG Metall tables 5% at VW; Future Plan pressure into 30 Sep labour meeting.

Top Developments

  1. Mercedes: conditional threat to close one German assembly + one powertrain plant

    Europe

    Schiebe (21 Sep, Sindelfingen): if German costs are not cut, Mercedes will close one Aufbauwerk and one Powertrainwerk. Reuters (22 Sep): German production 'not competitive' on labour; goal still keep all sites. Plants not named; works council rejects ultimatum.

    Companies Mercedes-Benz

    Sources

  2. IG Metall: 5% VW house-tariff demand; peace obligation ends 1 Jan 2027

    Europe

    ~130k VW AG employees; +social component; 12-month term (22 Sep). House deal ends 2026; warning strikes possible from 1 Jan 2027. Also wants binding plant perspectives beyond 2030.

    Companies Volkswagen

    Sources

  3. VW Future Plan 2030: ~50k further cuts; four plants lack 2031–34 allocation; union talks 30 Sep

    Europe

    SB approved plan (3 Sep): ~9% margin; EU capacity >500k above demand; Emden, Zwickau, Hanover, Neckarsulm lack secured allocation 2031–34. Reuters (23 Sep): VW/IG Metall/works council meet Hanover 30 Sep.

    Companies Volkswagen

    Sources

  4. IG Metall Aktionstag (21 Sep): nationwide auto protests; works council presses tariffs/energy/investment

    Europe

    Tens of thousands at VW and peers (Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Bosch). Cavallo/Benner call for investment, tariffs, electricity, partial retirement. Schäfer: ramp performance programme further.

    Companies Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Porsche, Bosch

    Sources

  5. EU–China: hybrid export-cap talks vs tariffs; Beijing rejects voluntary limits; Oct deadline

    Asia

    FT ask (~15% EU hybrid share) after imports rose ~3.8k (Oct 2024) to ~50k (Jul 2026). MOFCOM (18 Sep) opposes. Séjourné (23 Sep): rebalancing 'existential'; Šefčovič Beijing 8–9 Oct; trade defence on table.

    Sources

  6. Kromberg & Schubert Zhytomyr hit again (22 Sep); prior Aug strike had suspended ops

    Global

    Strike on foreign-invested Zhytomyr plant; fire; DSNS: two injured. Prior 9 Aug hit: serious damage, indefinite suspension; historically supplies cable systems for VW/Audi/BMW/Mercedes/Porsche.

    Companies Kromberg & Schubert, Volkswagen, Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche

    Sources

  1. Unifor–Stellantis: CA expired 20 Sep; still in Ontario conciliation — no legal strike yet

    Americas

    Unifor (16 Sep): not in legal strike at expiry; conciliation continues; next step if escalating = strike votes. Brampton income security extended. Core dispute: Brampton future (Roshel MoU) + pattern.

    Companies Stellantis

    Sources

  2. Stellantis Mirafiori: CIG for 1,074 on Fiat 500 EV/hybrid line (19–30 Oct)

    Europe

    Complete stop two weeks in Oct; 934 blue + 140 white collar. Company: 'complex' despite higher H1 vs FY2025; energy cost flagged. Unions warn on ~400 temps; want second model.

    Companies Stellantis

    Sources

  3. Volvo Cars: Ghent becomes multi-brand contract-manufacturing plant (with Chengdu)

    Europe

    Of seven plants, five Volvo-only; Ghent + Chengdu open to Geely brands and possibly other OEMs. Overcapacity cited; Ghent to compete with Eastern Europe. No first non-Volvo SOP named.

    Companies Volvo Cars, Geely

    Sources

  4. Aptiv unifies interconnect portfolio under single Aptiv brand (Winchester + Intercable)

    Global

    1 Sep: Winchester → Aptiv Interconnect; Intercable AS → Aptiv High-Voltage Technologies; Connection Systems unchanged. Integrated connectors + HV busbars + SDV/electrified systems.

    Companies Aptiv

    Sources

  5. Sumitomo Wiring Systems: AI agents + physical AI robots for harness smart factories

    Global

    17 Sep: 2030 Smart Factory push — AI image analysis, Skild AI robots, ExaWizards multi-agents; aim local-for-local and lower labour intensity.

    Companies Sumitomo Wiring Systems

    Sources

  6. TE Connectivity to acquire HENN plastic air/fluid connector unit (HENN Fluid Line)

    Global

    Deal announced 4 Aug; close targeted TE FY Q4 ending Sep 2026; Dornbirn office. Combines electrical/data with coolant/air for EV thermal + ADAS.

    Companies TE Connectivity

    Sources

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