VW considers one car plant, one component plant in Germany obsolete works council
Costcutting drive at namesake brand must be extended VW
Management 39;compelled39; to end job security programme
Works council promises 39;fierce resistance39; to plans
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BERLIN, Sept 2 Reuters Volkswagen is considering closing factories in Germany for the first time, in a move that shows the mounting price pressure Europe39;s top carmaker faces from Asian rivals.

Monday39;s move marks the first major clash between Chief Executive Oliver Blume, who analysts have described as more of a consensus builder than his often combative predecessor Herbert Diess, and unions that command substantial influence at VW.

VW considers one large vehicle plant and one component factory in Germany to be obsolete, said its works council as it vowed fierce resistance to the executive board39;s plans.

Chief Financial Officer Arno Antlitz will speak to staff alongside Volkswagen brand chief Thomas Schaefer at a works council meeting on Wednesday morning.

Volkswagen39;s works council head Daniela Cavallo, a member of the powerful IG Metall union, said she expects CEO Blume to get involved in negotiations too, adding that Wednesday39;s meeting would be very uncomfortable for the group39;s management.

IG Metall has thwarted previous attempts at more deeprooted changes, most recently in 2022 when Diess departed as CEO.

Analysts have in the past named VW sites in Osnabrueck, in Lower Saxony and…