Magna closes in Franconia
Automotive supplier closes plant in Germany
Updated July 14, 2026 – 10:37 am.Reading time: 2 min.
Automotive supplier Magna responds to the crisis. (Symbolic image) (Source: Frank Hermann / SVEN SIMON via www.imago-images.de/imago)
Read aloud
Current time:0:00Total duration:0:00
1x
New in t-online:
Adjust the font size!
Automotive supplier Magna is abandoning its Franconia plant. The union feels deceived.
The ongoing crisis in the German automotive industry is also affecting suppliers. Car supplier Magna’s plant in Dorfproselten, Lower Franconia, is scheduled to close in the middle of next year. Magna International (Germany) reported that 216 employees were injured. The IG Metall union said there had been significant damage to confidence in the reliability of the agreements reached.
Percy Scheidler, first representative of IG Metall Aschaffenburgmade serious allegations against the company and said: “Magna failed to complete agreed works, orders and equipment and has now decided that this site is no longer viable. Entrepreneurship looks different.”
- World leader: Tire seller in Dortmund goes bankrupt
- Volkswagen: A major shareholder blocked a weapons deal for a plant in Osnabrück
The company justified its decision by constantly negative events in business and the market. “Despite financial investment and cost-cutting measures taken in recent years, future viability has not been maintained,” the spokesman said. The plant produces exterior and rear-view mirrors.
The group signs an agreement from 2023
The location in the Franconian district of Miltenberg was already under threat of closure in 2023, but was initially saved. The company and IG Metall then agreed on a document on key points, according to which the retention of at least 250 employees must be ensured until the end of 2028. At that time, the company still employed about 450 employees.
IG Metall sharply criticized the decision of Magna Dorfprozelten management announced on Monday. Contrary to promises made three years ago, no new products have been placed at this site, and no new products have been transported to Dorfproselten from other locations.
“We have responded to changing market conditions several times, adapted concepts and made constructive proposals. We are increasingly disappointed and appalled by this decision,” said trade unionist Percy Scheidler.
Economist sees flaws in Merz’s reform program
According to the union, management has decided not to develop the future LC mirror glass technology, which is central to the company, and not bring it to mass production. “Significant funding from the Free State of Bavaria was used to develop and market the LC technology, but there was no serious intention to bring the product to market,” said union secretary and operations manager Christoph Coors.
Friedrich Merz (file photo): The chancellor is building on a reform agenda, but the problems lie deeper, economists say. (Source: Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)
The German auto industry is in crisis. VW CEO Oliver Blume has confirmed that the group could lay off up to 100,000 employees by 2030. This is one sixth of the entire workforce. Suppliers such as Bosch have also announced job cuts.