Audi’s decision to close its Brussels plant in February 2025 serves as a stark reminder of Europe’s ongoing struggle with de-industrialisation. The closure, which will impact 4,000 workers, comes as the German automaker relocates production of its Q8 e-tron electric SUV to Mexico, citing weak sales and rising costs. This move is part of a broader trend, as other major companies like Stellantis, Michelin, and Volkswagen also announce plant closures and production cuts in response to slower growth and heightened competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Europe’s industrial sector has been in decline for decades. From 1991 to 2023, the share of industry in Europe’s GDP dropped from 28.8% to 23.7%, driven by factors such as automation, offshoring, and increased global competition.

For workers like Basil, who has been with Audi for five years, the closure feels particularly unjust. “We don’t understand it; we think it’s unfair,” he says, especially as Audi reported nearly 6.3 billion euros in profits in 2023.

In response to de-industrialisation, Europe is focusing on green technologies and the European Green Deal, which aims to foster carbon-neutral industries and secure access to critical resources. However, experts caution that this will require massive investment, which may favor wealthier EU countries. Meanwhile, China and the US continue to bolster their own industrial sectors, putting additional pressure on Europe to remain competitive while pursuing its ambitious 2050 carbon-neutrality goals.