BMW is planning to reduce its workforce in Germany by up to 8,000 jobs by the end of 2027, according to multiple reports citing a company source and media coverage. The company is expected to offer voluntary redundancy to nearly half of its roughly 85,000 permanent German employees. The offer is described as targeting administrative and development roles, with production-line workers reported to be spared. One report says offers would be extended beginning in October to about 40,000 employees in desk-based positions, following negotiations between BMW’s board and the works council over roughly six weeks.
The move is linked to cost-cutting pressures in the auto sector, including slimmer margins, tariff-related headwinds affecting the industry, and intensified competition—particularly from Chinese electric-vehicle makers. BMW has also issued a profit warning related to challenging conditions in China, where deliveries were reported to have fallen year-on-year, and competition is described as fierce. BMW’s approach is reported to rely on voluntary measures and not compulsory redundancies. Other German automakers have discussed larger potential job reductions or voluntary programs, including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz.
