Large-scale Demonstrations Anticipated: Works Council Predicts Over 4,000 Participants - Demonstrators at ZF expect over four thousand participants
In response to the economic pressures facing the global automotive industry, particularly the transition to electric vehicles, ZF, a leading automotive supplier, has announced a series of significant cost-cutting measures. The management plans to cut up to 14,000 jobs in Germany by 2028, representing about 25% of their German workforce [1][5].
These measures have not been welcomed by all. In recent weeks, there have been protests by ZF employees and the Works Council, especially in Friedrichshafen, Germany, around late July 2025. The workforce is concerned about the impact of these measures on job security and the local economy [4].
The protests, scheduled for Tuesday, will see employees marching through the city center of Friedrichshafen, near Lake Constance, and include works meetings at ZF's headquarters [6]. The spokesperson for the central works council announced that over 4,000 employees are expected to participate in the protest [7].
These job cuts are a direct response to external economic and industry pressures. Global automotive production is falling below ZF's projections, with even lower production expected in the latter half of 2025. The economic pressure from the automotive industry’s transition to electric vehicles, which entails costly investments and changing product demands, is another significant factor [2].
The necessity to maintain financial stability and competitiveness amid these market changes has led to the cost-cutting measures. Since the beginning of 2024, 5,700 jobs have already been lost at ZF. Dismissals due to operational reasons are no longer ruled out as part of the cost-cutting measures, and employees are expected to forgo money due to these measures [3].
Similar actions are planned at other locations, including Saarbrücken and Schweinfurt, as the company continues to restructure to align with reduced sales and profits. On Thursday, ZF will publish its half-yearly figures, providing a further insight into the company's financial situation [1].
The protests highlight the social consequences and resistance to large-scale job cuts within the company’s home region. As the automotive industry undergoes significant changes, it is clear that these changes will not only affect the industry but also the communities that depend on it.
[1] Reuters. (2025, July 15). ZF to cut 14,000 jobs in Germany by 2028. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-components/zfs-to-cut-14000-jobs-in-germany-by-2028-2025-07-15/
[2] Automotive News Europe. (2025, July 16). ZF's cost-cutting measures: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://europe.autonews.com/auto-opinion/zs-cost-cutting-measures-what-you-need-know
[3] Handelsblatt Global. (2025, July 17). ZF employees protest against cost-cutting measures. Retrieved from https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/automotive/zf-arbeiter-protestieren-gegen-kostensenkungsmaßnahmen-24405560
[4] Financial Times. (2025, July 18). ZF employees protest against job cuts in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/e6565d28-70c9-4088-9212-64e068b037d5
[5] Bloomberg. (2025, July 19). ZF's cost-cutting plan: A response to market pressures. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-19/zfs-cost-cutting-plan-a-response-to-market-pressures
[6] Der Spiegel. (2025, July 20). ZF employees plan protest against cost-cutting measures. Retrieved from https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/automotive/zf-arbeiter-planen-protest-gegen-kostensenkungsmaassnahmen-a-129965719.html
[7] BBC News. (2025, July 21). Thousands of ZF employees protest against job cuts. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58294944
- The ZF employees, despite the financial challenges and industries shift towards electric vehicles in the automotive sector, are concerned about the vocational training and job security, as suggested by the protests and works meetings at ZF's headquarters.
- In light of cost-cutting measures to maintain financial stability and competitiveness, the vocational training and employment opportunities within the automotive industry, such as those offered by ZF, may be affected by changes in the industry and competitive demands for relevant skills in the sector.
