Overview

• Industrial employment stood at 5.42 million on June 30, down 2.1% year over year, according to EY’s analysis of Federal Statistical Office data.
• Sector revenue fell 2.1% in the second quarter, marking an eighth consecutive decline, with only electrical equipment growing and auto revenue down 1.6%.
• EY cites a sharp fall in shipments to the United States due to tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, alongside softer demand from China and high domestic costs.
• Manufacturers including Mercedes‑Benz and VW and suppliers Bosch, Continental and ZF have launched savings programs, and Porsche is winding down its Cellforce battery venture.
• Job cuts extend beyond autos, with about 17,000 positions lost in machinery and 12,000 in metal production, while chemistry and pharmaceuticals remained comparatively stable.