Automotive supplier Bosch has announced plans to cut thousands of jobs globally due to weak demand, with approximately 3,800 positions set to be eliminated in Germany alone. This marks a significant increase in planned reductions compared to earlier reports. According to a company spokesperson, an additional adjustment of up to 5,550 jobs will be necessary in the coming years, with more than two-thirds of these cuts—3,800 positions—impacting Germany.
Job Security Assurances Until 2027
The announced figures are part of preliminary planning and will be subject to negotiations with employee representatives, which are set to begin shortly. Bosch emphasized its intention to implement the cuts in the most socially responsible way possible. The company reaffirmed its commitment to a mid-2023 agreement that prevents layoffs due to operational reasons in its German supply division until the end of 2027, and in some cases, even until 2029. As of late 2023, this division employed around 72,000 of Bosch’s total workforce of approximately 134,000 employees worldwide.
Impact Concentrated in Specific Divisions
The job cuts will primarily affect the Cross-Domain Computing Solutions division, which focuses on intelligent driver assistance systems, automated driving technologies, and control units. According to Bosch, demand in these areas has not developed as previously forecasted, leading to an increasingly challenging economic situation. Additionally, the division reportedly has significantly more personnel than necessary.
Multiple Locations to Be Affected
Globally, 3,500 positions within the division are set to be eliminated, with half of these cuts occurring in Germany. Affected sites include facilities in Leonberg, Abstatt, Renningen, Schwieberdingen, and Hildesheim, as reported by IG Metall.
At the Hildesheim electric motor plant, 600 jobs will be phased out by the end of 2026, with an additional 150 positions expected to be cut by 2032. Meanwhile, the steering division facility in Schwäbisch Gmünd will see approximately 1,300 job cuts between 2027 and 2030.
Bosch’s planned reductions highlight the challenges facing the automotive industry as it grapples with shifting demands and evolving market conditions. While the company aims to minimize the social impact of these changes, the cuts underscore the pressure on traditional suppliers to adapt to a rapidly transforming sector.
