Overview
- Mercedes‑Benz announced on Wednesday, September 30 that it will relaunch a voluntary severance (Abfindungs) program in Germany, with offers expected to start in December 2026.
- The program targets indirect functions such as administration, development, and finance and will give individual offers to tariff employees and some managers under a double‑voluntariness rule that requires agreement by both employee and company.
- Company leaders said the step forms part of broader cost measures aimed at reducing labor expenses in Germany after profits fell sharply in 2025 and the passenger‑car unit was hit by a weak China market.
- Production board member Michael Schiebe previously warned that two German plants could face closure if domestic costs were not cut, a stance that has already prompted protests from workers and unions.
- The program affects a workforce of about 108,000 in Germany and follows an earlier round that saw thousands leave, so observers will watch how many roles are removed, how unions respond, and whether the move eases pressure on plant viability.