Germany’s Robert Bosch GmbH, the world’s largest automotive supplier, has unveiled plans to slash 13,000 jobs by 2030, mostly in its mobility division, as it grapples with a €2.5 billion ($2.9 billion) annual cost gap. The restructuring, announced on September 25, 2025, aims to streamline operations amid waning demand, high labor and energy costs, and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals like BYD. For automotive industry professionals, labor economists, and investors searching Bosch 13,000 job cuts 2025, German auto sector layoffs, or Bosch cost-saving plan, this move—following 11,500 cuts in 2024—highlights the deepening crisis in Europe’s car industry, with Bosch’s 418,000 global workforce facing further reductions in administration, sales, development, and production. CEO Stefan Hartung described the cuts as “very painful but unavoidable,” forecasting modest 2% revenue growth to €92 billion in 2025 from €90.5 billion last year.
The restructuring comes as German automakers like Volkswagen also pare production, with over 60,000 job cuts announced among the country’s Fortune 500 firms this year alone.
The Cost-Cutting Plan: €2.5 Billion Savings by 2030
Bosch’s mobility division, which generates €55 billion annually, faces overcapacity in administration, sales, and production due to a sharp drop in global vehicle demand. The €2.5 billion cost gap stems from geopolitical tensions, trade barriers like U.S. tariffs, and competition from low-cost Chinese manufacturers. To close it, Bosch plans:
- Job Reductions: 13,000 positions by 2030, mainly in Germany.
- Efficiency Measures: Reduced investments, optimized logistics, and structural adjustments.
- Revenue Forecast: 2% growth in 2025, focusing on electrification and software.
Board member Markus Heyn, chair of the mobility division, stated: “Geopolitical developments and trade barriers lead to considerable uncertainty—we must adapt.”
| Measure | Target Savings | Timeline | Affected Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Job Cuts | 13,000 Positions | By 2030 | Mobility Division (Germany) |
| Investments | Reduced | Immediate | Development, Production |
| Logistics | Optimized | 2025-2026 | Supply Chain |
| Total | €2.5 Billion Annually | Ongoing | Cost Gap Closure |
Broader Industry Context: Germany’s Auto Sector in Crisis
Bosch’s cuts are symptomatic of Europe’s automotive woes:
- VW’s Parallel Moves: Production reductions and 35,000 job cuts by 2030.
- Cumulative Impact: Over 60,000 layoffs among German Fortune 500 firms in 2025.
- Economic Ripple: Germany’s GDP contracted 0.1% in Q2 2025; auto exports down 5%.
Workers’ representatives, led by Frank Sell, vowed resistance, calling the cuts “unprecedented” and not ruling out strikes.
Conclusion: Bosch’s Cuts Signal Auto Sector’s Pain
Bosch’s 13,000 job cuts to save €2.5 billion are a stark reminder of Germany’s industrial struggles, with trade barriers and EV shifts exacerbating the €2.5 billion gap. As Hartung fights “for every cent,” the mobility division’s fate hangs in balance. For the auto ecosystem, it’s a cautionary tale—will restructuring restore resilience, or deepen the downturn? The engines idle. bloomberg
