Volkswagen has entered into a preliminary agreement to divest its Osnabrück manufacturing facility in Lower Saxony. The buyer consortium consists of the regional state government and Israeli investment firm Aurelius Capital.
The transition marks a significant pivot for the historic site, which is set to begin producing equipment for Rafael Advanced Defence Systems from mid-2027. Rafael is best known for developing the Iron Dome missile defense system.
The move comes as the automotive giant navigates a period of crisis and follows recent political shifts in Germany, including the historic election victory of the far-right AfD party in Saxony-Anhalt.
Wait, does this mean VW is officially a defense contractor now? The lines are blurring fast.
Good riddance. German factories should build tanks, not luxury sedans for a dying market.