Volkswagen has successfully negotiated a deal with the IG Metall trade union to avoid the closure of its factories in Germany, securing jobs while agreeing to cut over 35,000 positions by 2030. The agreement includes a suspension of a previously scheduled wage increase and a reduction in apprenticeships. Volkswagen’s CEO Oliver Blume described the deal as vital for the brand’s future, as the company faces declining demand in China and increased competition from local brands. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz praised the resolution as a socially responsible solution.