Rheinmetall and VW: collaboration or farewell to the Osnabrück plant?

Rheinmetall bosses recently visited the Volkswagen factory in Osnabrück to discuss possible collaborations between the two companies. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles joint venture t-online.de reported. Rheinmetall boss Armin Papperger, MAN boss Alexander Vlaskamp and VW Group board member Gunnar Kilian took part in the meeting.

During the visit, Rheinmetall was mentioned as a possible interested party for the VW plant in Osnabrück. However, Papperger expressed concerns about the existing facilities and the costs of conversion. VW spokeswoman confirmed that no concrete decisions for the location would be derived from the meeting. IG Metall sees Rheinmetall's interest as a positive signal for the future viability of the site, but warns against premature abandonment of the plant.

Current situation at the VW factory in Osnabrück

The VW factory in Osnabrück currently employs 2,300 people and currently produces the T-Roc Cabrio as well as the Porsche Boxster and Cayman models. Production of the Porsche models is scheduled to end in 2026, and that of the VW convertible in mid-2027. According to reports, whether Rheinmetall could take over the plant depends on reliable, large orders from the federal government. VW had considered closing the site last year, but abandoned this option after a collective bargaining agreement with IG Metall.

Rheinmetall and MAN have been working together on military trucks since 2010, and there is also speculation about the production of tanks at the VW site. VW boss Oliver Blume was open to involvement in military projects, but without holding concrete discussions about how ndr.de reported. The works council chairman Jürgen Placke emphasized the workforce's desire to contribute to Volkswagen's automotive future.