Volkswagen prepares sale of plant in Slovakia and change of its specialization

Volkswagen is preparing a large-scale transformation of its plant in Martin, northern Slovakia: the enterprise, which has been producing components for passenger cars for over 25 years, may transition to truck manufacturer MAN and refocus on parts for commercial vehicles.

According to Slovak media, Volkswagen intends to sell the enterprise, with MAN, which is also part of Volkswagen Group, as a potential buyer. Volkswagen Slovakia officially speaks about the transformation of the plant and potential cooperation with sister company MAN, emphasizing that the final model is still being formed.

Currently, the Martin plant produces components for gearboxes and chassis of passenger cars. After the transformation, the enterprise may switch to assembling chassis components for MAN trucks.

Meanwhile, the current production of passenger car parts, according to Denník E, is planned to be partially transferred to other foreign group enterprises with lower production costs.

Over a quarter of a century, more than €320 million has been invested in the Volkswagen plant in Martin. In the recent period, about 700 people worked at the enterprise.

Volkswagen states that the goal of the transformation is more efficient use of production capacities and maintaining stable employment in the region. The company also notes that cooperation with MAN can create new opportunities for current employees.

At the same time, Denník E, citing sources in the automotive industry, writes that after the change of the production program, a reduction of part of the staff cannot be ruled out. The final format of the plant's future operation has not yet been determined.

This is not about Volkswagen's exit from Slovakia. The company continues to operate at its large enterprise in Bratislava, while the Martin plant is planned to be integrated into the group's new production model.

Based on materials from: Denník E, MY Turiec, Forbes Slovensko