Auto Suppliers Fight for Their Future - Voit Shutdown Looms as ZF Exits, Threatening 680 Jobs in Saarland's Auto Sector
ZF's decision to withdraw all products from Voit, an automotive supplier based in St. Ingbert, has led to the company's impending shutdown by the end of September 2026. This move comes amidst the ongoing shift towards electromobility and the planned 2035 phase-out of internal combustion engines, putting pressure on auto parts suppliers in Saarland.
Saarland, which has the highest share of employees in the automotive sector nationwide, is feeling the impact. Union representative Patrick Selzer has demanded that employers secure jobs and production sites in the industry. ZF is preparing for potential short-time work at select locations, including Saarbrücken, due to the dynamic situation in the auto parts industry.
Economic Minister Jürgen Barke (SPD) attributes the current pressure on suppliers partly to the fact that 75% of a vehicle’s value creation comes from component manufacturers. The Bundesrat initiative launched by Saarland a year ago to accelerate the shift to electromobility with new purchase incentives and fair transitional solutions aims to address these challenges. However, 15% of auto parts suppliers in Saarland are acutely at risk, and up to 60% are navigating rough waters. Voit, with its 680 employees, is one such company struggling for survival.
Voit's 680 employees will gradually transition into a transfer company co-financed by ZF during the first half of 2026. The shutdown of Voit by the end of September 2026 underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to support the auto parts industry in Saarland as it navigates the shift towards electromobility.
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