BMW Brilliance begins layoffs impacting 1,800 workers in China

BMW Brilliance, the joint venture between BMW and Brilliance Auto, has initiated a workforce reduction affecting approximately 1,800 employees. The layoffs represent roughly 10% of the firm's total staff of 19,000, with impacts reported across various job functions, primarily within production lines.

Affected staff members are reportedly being offered a severance package calculated on an n+5 basis. The redundancies apply to both permanent staff and outsourced personnel. This move aligns with BMW’s broader global strategy, which previously announced plans to cut 8,000 white-collar roles by the end of 2027 to curb operational costs.

The reduction highlights the intense competitive pressures facing the automotive manufacturer in China. In the third quarter, BMW reported a nearly 25% year-on-year sales decline in the region. With growth in Europe and the United States failing to offset these losses, the company is adjusting its operational scale to navigate the challenging economic environment.