German industrial leader Bosch plans to reduce its workforce by around 13,000 employees by the end of 2030. These cuts are mainly focused on its Mobility division and are part of efforts to close a €2.5 billion annual cost gap in the automotive segment. The move responds to rising costs and challenges in the global auto market.
This reduction amounts to roughly 3% of Bosch’s total workforce, which was close to 418,000 employees at the end of 2024. Most job losses will occur at key German plants located in Feuerbach, Schwieberdingen, Waiblingen, Bühl, and Homburg. This new plan follows the announcement of 9,000 prior job cuts, bringing the total reductions near 22,000 by 2030.
Bosch faces several headwinds, including weaker demand for traditional vehicle parts, growing competition from global companies, especially from China, and increased tariffs and trade restrictions. Furthermore, the shift to electric vehicles and newer technologies like hydrogen fuel is taking longer than anticipated.
At specific locations, about 3,500 jobs will be cut in Feuerbach, including 1,500 positions at the powertrain facility. Schwieberdingen will see a reduction of around 1,750 roles in sales, development, and administrative areas. Waiblingen plans to phase out connector technology production, Bühl will cut 1,550 jobs related to electric drive manufacturing, and Homburg expects to reduce its workforce by 1,250 through consolidation.
In an official statement, Bosch stressed the urgent need to boost competitiveness and permanently lower costs. Stefan Grosch, the company’s industrial relations director, described these decisions as difficult but essential to securing Bosch’s future. The company is working closely with employee representatives to manage the transition responsibly.
This announcement reflects broader challenges across Germany’s automotive and manufacturing sectors, where rising costs and intense competition force companies to rethink their strategies. Bosch’s restructuring signals a necessary adaptation to a rapidly changing industry.
Looking ahead, Bosch expects moderate revenue growth in 2025. However, it cautions that ongoing market uncertainty may require further changes. Successfully navigating these issues is critical for Bosch as it adapts to new technologies and evolving consumer demands.
