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4h ago

Porsche Scraps Cellforce Battery Scale-Up, Refocuses Unit on R&D

Management says an in-house cell factory no longer adds up economically because demand is weaker than forecast and scale is lacking.

Mitarbeiter stehen während einer Betriebsversammlung vor dem Sitz des Batterie-Unternehmens Cellforce.
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Overview

  • Porsche confirmed it will stop plans for volume battery-cell production at Cellforce and retain the subsidiary as a standalone research and development operation.
  • IG Metall says termination letters will be sent this week with layoffs effective 30 November, and about 200 of roughly 280 jobs are at risk after a mass layoff filing with the employment agency.
  • Porsche did not disclose exact figures but said the headcount reduction will be handled in a socially responsible manner, and VW battery unit PowerCo offered to explore positions for suitable staff at its sites.
  • Public funding of roughly €56–60 million was paid into the project and whether it must be repaid is unclear, while media report Porsche has recorded about €295 million in write-downs tied to Cellforce assets.
  • Supplier and model plans are being reworked, with reports of a dissolved Valmet battery-pack contract and the electric 718 launch pushed to at least 2027, which neither Porsche nor Valmet has confirmed.