Chinese officials and automakers are eyeing German factories slated for closure and are particularly interested in Volkswagen’s sites.
Buying a factory would allow China to build influence in Germany’s prized auto industry, home to some of the oldest and most prestigious car brands.
Chinese companies have invested across a range of industries in Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, from telecommunications to robotics but have yet to set up traditional car manufacturing there, despite Mercedes-Benz having two large Chinese shareholders.
Any such move could mark China’s most politically sensitive investment yet. VW has long been a symbol of Germany’s industrial prowess, now threatened by a global economic slowdown hitting demand and a creaking transition to green technologies.
Stephan Soldanski, a union representative from Osnabrueck, said workers at the plant would have nothing against producing for one of Volkswagen’s China-based joint venture partners.
“I could imagine that we would produce something for a China joint venture …. but under the VW logo and under VW standards. That is the key condition,” he said.