VW factory in Osnabrück is up for grabs or under consideration for a potential ownership change
Rheinmetall and Volkswagen are actively considering a partnership that could see the Osnabrück plant producing military vehicle driver's cabs. The potential collaboration comes as the passenger vehicle production at the Osnabrück plant, including Porsche and VW T-Roc Cabrio models, is due to end by 2027, leaving available capacity.
The discussions between Rheinmetall and Volkswagen are conditional on the volume of military vehicle orders Rheinmetall receives. With Rheinmetall already expanding its own production capacity, the company may require partners like VW's Osnabrück plant if demand surpasses these limits.
Media reports have suggested considerations for manufacturing driver cabs for military vehicles at Osnabrück, though no firm commitments or contracts have been announced as of mid-2025. The Osnabrück plant, which employs around 2,300 people, may be considered for potential expansion by Rheinmetall, but this depends heavily on the number of vehicle orders received.
Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger has confirmed ongoing talks about expanding collaboration with Volkswagen, specifically mentioning the Osnabrück site as potentially "in play" for taking orders related to military vehicles. The plant's current production of Porsche models is set to end in 2026, further increasing the available capacity.
It's worth noting that Rheinmetall and Volkswagen already have a joint venture with MAN and Traton. The possibility of Volkswagen plants taking on orders for Rheinmetall has been discussed, but no specific decisions have been made yet.
In conclusion, while the cooperation is being pursued and the Osnabrück site is a strong candidate for such a conversion from civilian to military vehicle production, the actual production of military vehicle driver’s cabs there will depend on Rheinmetall’s future order volumes and formal agreements with Volkswagen.
The potential cooperation between Rheinmetall and Volkswagen in military vehicle production could involve the Osnabrück plant, owing to the imminent end of passenger vehicle production and the plant's available capacity. However, any expansion at the Osnabrück plant would be contingent on Rheinmetall receiving sufficient orders for military vehicles in the finance and industry sector.
