Bosch to Cut 13,000 Jobs Amid Weak Demand and Rising Costs
German engineering giant Bosch has announced plans to cut 13,000 jobs in its mobility division as part of a sweeping cost-saving initiative aimed at reducing expenses by €2.5 billion (£2.06 billion).
The company said the decision was driven by a stagnating global vehicle market, intensifying competition from electric vehicle manufacturers such as Tesla and China’s BYD, and rising operational costs — including those linked to tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on European exports.
Bosch, which supplies vehicle parts and software, acknowledged the scale of the move, describing it as unavoidable given the current market conditions. “Regrettably, we will not be able to avoid further job cuts beyond those already communicated,” said Stefan Grosch, a member of Bosch’s board of management and director of industrial relations. “This hurts us greatly, but unfortunately there is no alternative.”
The layoffs will primarily affect positions in administration, sales, development, and production across several German locations, including Feuerbach, Schwieberdingen, Waiblingen, Bühl, and Homburg.
Bosch also plans to scale back investments in production facilities and infrastructure, citing a “sharp decline in demand” for its products. As of December 2024, the company employed 418,000 people globally.
While the UK operations will not be affected by this round of cuts, Bosch said it would “continually assess” its workforce based on customer demand and market developments.
The announcement highlights the challenges facing Germany’s once-thriving automotive industry, which has been losing ground to international competitors. Trump’s 15% tariff on EU vehicle exports to the US has further strained the sector, with Bosch warning that the combination of global economic pressures and increased costs makes it “impossible to maintain its current high headcount.”
The company said discussions with affected employees will begin immediately as it works to implement the restructuring plan.
