“This can be a complete vehicle or the assembly of a car or a partially assembled body,” according to the Eindhovens Dagblad in VDL’s communication to employees today, although no concrete brands or dates are mentioned.
BMW MINIs are currently under construction in Nedcar. But that contract expires next year. There are no new customers yet, which makes mass layoffs seem inevitable. As of November 1, more than 1800 of the total 3950 Nedcar employees will lose their jobs, as previously announced by VDL.
Long term
VDL is now looking for ways to keep as many of the remaining 2100 jobs as possible after the contract with BMW expires in March 2024. But it will not be possible to fill the gap that will arise in March. Many plans include a longer term.
For example, VDL is engaged in a further cooperation with the German company ElectricBrands, which wants to have the Evetta electric city car and the modular XBUS manufactured in Born. For now, these are modest numbers that can roll off the Born production line.
Leave in Born
In addition, parts of VDL will be relocated to Born, such as VDL Bus Venlo, which will be housed in a Nedcar hall from 1 January. The activity will then be renamed VDL Veicoli Speciali. VDL expects the occupation of this part of Born to rise from 120 to around 500 employees in a few years.
VDL has also entered into a partnership with the company GOTEC Brake Disc Coating (GBDC) for the coating of brake discs in Born. And there’s a demo line in Born for assembling drums. VDL is talking to automakers and intermediates about having their batteries assembled in Born.