Volkswagen is the latest vehicle manufacturer to have to take an extended break over the Christmas holiday period.

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According to AFP, the company is currently negotiating to close the Wolfsburg plant from 18 December to 11 January. Around 16,000 of Wolfsburg’s 44,000 workers will be affected by the stoppage.


In addition a one day stoppage is planned for the 5 December.


Volkswagen had previously said that an extended Christmas break could be needed to adjust production to demand.


Volkswagen has nevertheless been less affected by the slowdown in production than some of its competitors. Last year Volkswagen stopped production for two weeks over Christmas, so at the moment the company is only talking about one additional week. Daimler is closing all its 14 production sites for four weeks over Christmas, while BMW has already closed plants.

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Component suppliers are also being affected. Piston specialist, Mahle, is extending its Christmas break to four weeks.

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