Bosch, a world leading auto supplier, has announced plans that could put between 8,000 and 10,000 jobs in Germany at risk, according to Frank Sell, deputy chairman of the company’s supervisory board and head of the works council for its Mobility Solutions division.

The company, which employs approximately 135,000 staff in Germany, is facing challenges tied to weakening demand, a sluggish transition to electric vehicles, and rising competition from lower-cost Chinese manufacturers. These factors have pressured the auto industry, with German carmakers particularly struggling with high operational costs.

Speaking on the developments, Sell criticised the company’s plans, describing the resulting atmosphere as “absolutely unbearable.” When asked if Bosch workers might resort to strikes similar to those at Volkswagen, Sell indicated that labour representatives and unions would formulate an action plan for 2025 that could include strikes.

Stefan Grosch, a Bosch management board member overseeing human resources, defended the cuts, citing the need for competitiveness in an industry undergoing rapid change.

Grosch, during a media call, said that the entire sector is suffering. He also added that while Bosch aimed to implement the reductions in a socially responsible way, the pace of transformation in the automotive market necessitated frequent capacity reviews.

Bosch’s supervisory board is set to meet on Friday to discuss the proposed measures further, amidst growing concern among employees and labour groups over the company’s future direction. (AriseNews TV)