The crisis in the automotive industry began before coronavirus, but has intensified as a result. German and European car manufacturers are struggling with major sales difficulties in their core countries. They are coming under massive pressure from an emerging industry in the so-called newly industrialising countries and new providers in the electric vehicle segment on the one hand, and from environmental sustainability targets on the other. The result is likely to be a significant reduction in employment. In addition to reductions in working hours, one perspective for the employees affected is the creation of new employment opportunities in other areas, which are also being discussed under the heading of conversion. What acceptance do such concepts have among the workforce? What could concrete perspectives look like?

The video input by Dr Antje Blöcker is available below(presentation slides only, PDF):

Study by the Otto Brenner Foundation: Antje Blöcker, Klaus Dörre, Madeleine Holzschuh (eds.): Auto- und Zulieferindustrie in der Transformation. Employee perspectives from five Federal States. Frankfurt a.M. 2020

Book contribution in: Klaus Dörre et al. (eds.): Farewell to coal and cars? Socio-ecological transformation conflicts around energy and mobility. Frankfurt/New York.