Daily brief
Automotive & Business Brief — 27 September 2026
Mercedes still holds a conditional two-plant threat (no plant named; Bremen vs Rastatt remains Drohkulisse). VW meets IG Metall/works council in Hanover on 30 Sep; Metall/Elektro bargaining opens 7 Oct; sector peace ends 31 Oct.
Executive Snapshot
- Mercedes still holds a conditional two-plant threat (no plant named; Bremen vs Rastatt remains Drohkulisse). VW meets IG Metall/works council in Hanover on 30 Sep; Metall/Elektro bargaining opens 7 Oct; sector peace ends 31 Oct.
Top Developments
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Mercedes Schiebe: conditional threat — one German assembly + one powertrain plant
Europe
Production chief Michael Schiebe (~21 Sep, Sindelfingen) warned that if German labour costs are not cut, Mercedes will close one German assembly plant and one German powertrain plant. No plant named. Assembly trio: Sindelfingen, Rastatt, Bremen. Weser-Kurier 26 Sep: still Drohkulisse — Bremen vs Rastatt framing.
Companies Mercedes-Benz
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Unifor–Stellantis Brampton: still mandatory conciliation — not legal strike
Americas
As of 25 Sep: CA expired 20 Sep; impasse over Brampton (Roshel sale MOU). Not in legal strike position; no strike votes scheduled; 2023 CA terms remain in effect.
Companies Stellantis
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IG Metall / VW: Hanover review 30 Sep; Metall bargaining from 7 Oct
Europe
30 Sep Hanover Überprüfungsgespräch on 2024 Zukunftstarifvertrag. IG Metall demands 5%/12 months. Fläche starts 7 Oct; Friedenspflicht ends 31 Oct; warning strikes from 1 Nov. VW Haustarif Entgelt expires 31 Dec; Friedenspflicht ends 1 Jan 2027.
Companies Volkswagen
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EU–China: Šefčovič–Wang Beijing 8–9 Oct — hybrids at the centre
Asia
Commission seeks tangible outcomes 8–9 Oct. Reporting: voluntary Chinese hybrid sales cap ~15% of EU market or investigation/tariffs. China rejects voluntary restraints. VDA 24 Sep open to considering hybrid trade defences after impact assessment.
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Foxconn–Poland Jaworzno: Q4 signature / spring 2027 groundbreaking still on track
Europe
Balczun: finalising with Foxconn; autumn/Q4 signature; spring 2027 groundbreaking; first EVs ~2029; ~450k/year capacity target with EMP.
Companies Foxconn
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Cellios + TE Connectivity + MVTec: automated wire-harness assembly toward mid-2027
Global
AMS 25 Sep: claimed first fully automated harness assembly; 0.1 mm insertion; mid-2027 production system; 100k+ harnesses/year/system.
Companies TE Connectivity
Sources
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Sumitomo Wiring Systems: AI agents + physical-AI robots for smart factory
Global
SWS 17 Sep: AI image analysis, Skild AI robots, ExaWizards multi-AI agents under 2030 VISION; local-for-local resilience.
Companies Sumitomo Wiring Systems
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Hyundai Mobis: robotic battery–harness attachment pilot (Ulsan)
Asia
AMS 24 Sep: 6-axis robots + 3D vision mating harness connectors to EV battery modules; 0.1 mm tolerance; verification 2H 2026.
Companies Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Mobis
Sources
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Rosenberger HVR®210: automation-ready HV connector to 1,200 V
Global
Sep 2026: compact HV connector for 800–1,200 V; 208 A @ 85 °C; Cu/Al; automation-ready; battery/PDU/inverter/eAxle.
Companies Rosenberger
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VW Navarra: ID. Cross series production started (Iberia EV ramp)
Europe
VW PR 18 Sep: Landaben starts ID. Cross; plant runs ICE + BEV (ID. Cross / Epiq); Group aims >1m vehicles/year Iberia.
Companies Volkswagen
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Bosch Mobility: 13,000 auto job cuts by 2030; works council pushes "Made in EU"
Europe
Reuters 16 Sep: 13k cuts in core auto by end of decade; Sell demands EU local-content rules.
Companies Bosch
Sources
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Stellantis Melfi: production stop 28 Sep–2 Oct on component shortage
Europe
UGL 25 Sep: full-site suspension citing lack of components; seeks clearer industrial plan.
Companies Stellantis
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Aptiv: interconnect portfolio unified under Aptiv brand
Global
Winchester → Aptiv Interconnect; IAS → Aptiv High-Voltage Technologies; Connection Systems unchanged. No new M&A this cycle.
Companies Aptiv
Sources