Business sentiment in the German automotive industry slid deeper into negative territory in August, according to a survey, providing a gloomy backdrop to labour talks due to start on Wednesday at Volkswagen over its ambitious cost-cutting drive.
Ifo’s business sentiment indicator for the sector fell from -18.5 in July to -24.7 the following month, the economic institute said on Wednesday.
“Sentiment in the automotive industry is taking a nosedive,” Ifo sector specialist Anita Woelfl said in a statement pointing to markedly pessimistic expectations for the coming six months.
The expectations indicator dropped from -29.5 points in July to -40.5 in August, according to Ifo’s monthly survey.
“Companies in the German automotive industry are suffering from a lack of new orders, especially from abroad. This is now also being reflected in personnel planning,” Woelfl said.
On Monday, Volkswagen said it would prematurely end a job security programme in place since 1994 and set the stage for plant closures in Germany.
The company – Europe’s top car maker by revenue and long a symbol of Germany’s industrial might – is holding talks between management and the workforce later on Wednesday.
