Belgium

On July 24 it was announced that Nissan's Benelux offices will move to another building.

The new offices, which will be occupied from July 29, 2024, are more environmentally friendly, with solar panels for energy supply, a rainwater reuse system, among others.

The new location of the Nissan offices is located in the Strombeek business park.

“This move is fully in line with Nissan's 'Ambition 2030' objectives: to be a sustainable company that contributes to a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world," commented Jerôme Saigot, CEO of Nissan Benelux.

(Nissan Belgium press release on July 24, 2024)

On July 15, Punch Powertrain announced that it has developed in-house capabilities to simulate EMC filter performance in the inverter environment, allowing early validation and cost reduction. The approach enhances robustness and shortens validation times. By minimizing late-stage design changes, prevents delays and lowers costs.

Simulation and physical testing results are correlated to improve accuracy, leveraging experience for future projects. This ensures that EV inverter samples meet specific customer EMC requirements and general standards within tight schedules.

EMC testing ensures that inverters operate flawlessly amidst other electric vehicle systems. By focusing on early EMC design, Punch Powertrain ensures vehicles meet regulatory standards, deliver optimal performance, and maintain safety cost-effectively.

In EV inverters, optimizing EMC filters can significantly reduce size, weight, and cost. Punch Powertrain's design aims to minimize EMC emissions, integrating advanced mechatronics for compact, high-performance 800V inverters.

Based on Punch Powertrain press release

On July 10, ABVV-Metaal union announced that Audi plans to cease the production of Audi Q8 e-tron at its Brussels plant by the end of 2025 due to sharply declining demand at a special works council. The company is considering a complete termination of activities in Brussels if no alternatives for the Q8 e-tron model are found.

During the special works council on July 9, 2024, unions learned that the company plans to halt Q8 e-tron production in 2025 instead of 2027 which potentially leads to layoffs affecting 1,410 employees by October 2024 and an additional 600 by early 2025. Currently, Audi Brussels employs 3,000 people.

Previously, the production of the model was planned to transfer to China and Mexico after 2027. However, plans to manufacture the Q4 in Brussels were scrapped in October 2023. The restructuring announcement has significantly impacted the local metal industry, raising concerns about potential factory closure.

Employees were placed on economic unemployment ahead of the scheduled summer vacation, and recently finished cars were quickly removed from the Audi Brussels parking lot.

Based on ABVV-Metaal (1/ 2)