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    "headline": "Volkswagen Plans to Close Four German Factories by 2034, Cutting 50,000 Jobs",
    "dek": "Volkswagen's internal documents reveal plans to shut four German factories and cut 50,000 jobs due to high production costs.",
    "prose": "Volkswagen management plans to close four German factories, eliminating up to 50,000 jobs across the group, with half of those cuts occurring in Germany. [^1]\n\nThe German publication Wirtschaftswoche reported that Volkswagen's management intends to phase out the Spanish car brand Seat by the end of 2029. [^2]\n\nAn internal confidential document prepared for the Supervisory Board, obtained by the German business weekly Wirtschaftswoche, details the decision to gradually stop production in four specific facilities. [^3]\n\nProduction at the Emden and Cvikau factories is scheduled to cease in 2031, while the Hanover plant is set to close in 2032. [^4]\n\nThe Nekarsulm factory is planned to have production fully suspended by 2034. [^5]\n\nVolkswagen stated that continuing the Seat brand in its current form would bind additional resources, and the strategic development will instead focus on the Cupra brand group. [^6]\n\nVolkswagen's supervisory board is scheduled to vote on the proposal to phase out Seat on Friday. [^7]\n\nVolkswagen CEO Oliver Blume aims to prepare the company against competition from Chinese automakers in Europe and potential tariffs from US President Donald Trump. [^8]",
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