Robert Bosch announced plans on Friday to cut up to 5,550 jobs, marking another challenge for Germany’s struggling automotive sector. The industry faces mounting pressure from cheaper Chinese competitors and waning demand.
The world’s largest car parts supplier revealed that 3,500 jobs would be eliminated in its cross-domain computer solutions division by the end of 2027, with half of these cuts occurring at German sites. The division has seen weak demand for intelligent driver assistance systems and solutions for automated driving.
Additionally, Bosch plans to reduce approximately 750 jobs at its Hildesheim plant by 2032, with 600 of those cuts expected by the end of 2026. At its steering division in Schwaebisch Gmuend, near Stuttgart, the company intends to eliminate up to 1,300 positions between 2027 and 2030.
Germany’s auto sector slowdown has also affected major players like Volkswagen, which has clashed with workers over potential plant closures, and Mercedes, where declining earnings have prompted promises of stricter cost reductions.
Bosch’s works council and the IG Metall union voiced strong opposition to the cuts.
“We will now organise our resistance to these plans at all levels,” said Frank Sell, deputy head of the works council.
