(ANSA-AFP) - FRANKFURT AM MAIN, SEP 20 - Germany wants to
support Volkswagen and help it avoid factory closures but the
ailing car giant will have to fix most of its problems itself,
Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Friday. Volkswagen said
earlier this month it needed significant restructuring to stay
competitive, and was considering shutting sites in Germany for
the first time in its 87-year history. The announcement stunned
employees and added to concerns about Germany's flagship car
industry as it grapples with high costs, increased competition
from China and weak demand for electric vehicles (EVs). "The
majority of the tasks will have to be solved by Volkswagen
itself," Habeck said during a visit to a VW plant in Emden in
northwestern Germany. He refused to comment on media reports
that thousands of jobs could be threatened at Volkswagen, saying
he "cannot interfere" in company policy. But politicians could
help the car sector by looking at ways to send the right "market
signals", Habeck said, stopping short of mentioning any possible
state aid for Volkswagen. (ANSA-AFP).
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