The Volkswagen plant producing convertibles can become defense

We are talking about an enterprise located in the city of Znabruk, Automobilwoche clarifies. According to the publication, the factory, from which only Volkswagen T-ROC Convertible convertibles are leaving, can start issuing armored cabins for military vehicles. Now the company is unprofitable and can sell it to the new owner, who, according to rumors, will be the defense company Rheinmetall.

So far, it is only known that Rheinmetall is developing plans for the production of bulletproof cabins for military trucks at the plant in Germany, from which Volkswagen intends to refuse as part of a strategy to reduce expenses. The potential partner of the defense concern for the project is called the company MAN, one of the leading manufacturers of trucks.

Volkswagen stopped deliveries of cars in the United States Former Volkswagen Plant in Kaluga Sells engines and gearboxes Volkswagen began to produce a cheap crossover based on Polo

The head of Volkswagen Oliver Blum previously stated that he was opened to consider the possibility of launching at the factory in the Osnabruk production of military transport equipment. But this may prevent the IG Metall trade union, which opposes the production of military vehicles at the automobile plant.

Meanwhile, the only serial convertible in the current model line, the open version of the T-ROC crossover, is in demand in Europe.

According to the results of 2024, T-ROC Convertible was dispersed by a circulation of 10.7 thousand copies. With this result, it became the second most popular convertible in the European market, losing only the mini One/Cooper. T-ROC Convertible was overtaken by Porsche 911 sales (8.1 thousand pieces), BMW 4-Series (7.2 thousand), Mazda MX-5 (6.4 thousand) and BMW Z4 (5.5 thousand).

NECTICS: The main crossovers and SUVs of 2024