Germany Explodes Republican Myth

[DissedByBush]

42. Not just the US

German car companies have been shipping jobs all over Europe. There was one VW plant in East Germany that was losing money, and the basic deal was they were going to move the plant to low-wage Eastern Europe, or the workers would have to take a work hour cut. The workers took the cut. Nevertheless, VW does manufacture their cars in many places outside of Germany, especially the low-end ones (Brazil, Slovakia and India are favorite locations).

VW has also been buying foreign car brands to increase profitability, especially in the low-end market. They own Seat in Spain (manufactured in Spain, Belgium, Portugal and Slovakia) and Skoda in the Czech Republic (manufactured in Czech Republic, China, India, Kazakhstan, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine). These brands, as well as Volkswagen and Audi and even Porsche, have a vast sharing of minor and major components made in the various countries.

Interesting that this article doesn't include Opel, the German subsidiary of General Motors, which is a major manufacturer in Germany. But of course their cars share components and manufacturing locations with the various other GM subsidiaries around the world.

My personal addition: I've known people who worked for Opel and Mercedes, and they liked it. Decent pay, great work environment, great benefits.