ZF, one of the largest manufacturers of components for trucks and passenger cars, is cutting back on its E(lectromobility) division. The measures include a 7 percent reduction in working hours and the elimination of 7,600 jobs between now and 2030. ZF hopes to achieve this without forced layoffs or selling any business units. The works council and unions have approved the measures.
The Friedrichshafen-based company, which acquired WABCO a few years ago, will be limiting its product range. Development in the on-board charger, DC inverter, and electric rigid axle (eBeam) product groups will be halted, while development of innovative products such as the ZF TherMaS thermal management system and the 8HP evo plug-in hybrid transmission will continue.
ZF hopes this will help it weather the current crisis and ultimately become stronger and more competitive.
The company isn’t alone in its impact on the automotive industry’s malaise. E.g. Volkswagen and Bosch are also taking measures. German industry is struggling with disappointing results due to Chinese competition and a slow energy transition. (October 1, 2025)
