BERLIN (Oct 8): Audi's factory in Neckarsulm, one of the Volkswagen Group's four German production sites ​facing possible closure, needs a "viable" perspective to ‌secure its future, the premium brand's CEO told workers on Thursday.

"Neckarsulm boasts extensive industrial expertise and an ​impressive history. But tradition alone does not ​guarantee a future," Gernot Doellner said, according ⁠to excerpts of a speech shared by ​the company.

The Audi boss said the carmaker must ​boost competitiveness on costs, speed and productivity, echoing a message to brands across the German auto group in ​its ramped-up restructuring drive.

For Neckarsulm, this means ​working "together to develop a sustainable industrial vision", Doellner told a ‌workers ⁠assembly at the plant in south-west Germany.

Three Volkswagen plants and the Audi site face staggered closure from 2031 unless other solutions are found, ​with Volkswagen ​CEO Oliver ⁠Blume floating Chinese partnerships or defence deals as possible alternatives.

About 15,000 people ​work at Neckarsulm, which produces Audi's ​A5, ⁠A6 and A8 models.

Blume is pursuing a radical overhaul of the sprawling German auto group, slashing ⁠jobs ​and excess production capacity to ​revive margins hit by US tariffs and Chinese competition.

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