Rheinmetall cancels the takeover of the VW plant in Osnabrück

No deal Rheinmetall will not Take Over VW-Osnabrück

2026-03-13 Source: dpa | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

The future of the VW plant in Osnabrück (Germany) seemed relatively secure, as Rheinmetall wanted to take over. But now that will not happen...

The first option is not happening! At the VW plant in Osnabrück, Rheinmetall had reportedly assessed the situation for potential production projects. The construction of this type of 6-wheel armored vehicles would have been possible. However, this will not happen, as Rheinmetall has now announced.(Image: Rheinmetall / W. Geiger) — The first option is not happening! At the VW plant in Osnabrück, Rheinmetall had reportedly assessed the situation for potential production projects. The construction of this type of 6-wheel armored vehicles would have been possible. However, this will not happen, as Rheinmetall has now announced.
(Image: Rheinmetall / W. Geiger)

The arms company Rheinmetall has rejected a possible takeover of the VW factory in Osnabrück, where the last VW models will soon roll off the production line. A takeover of the plant is not an issue for Rheinmetall under the given conditions. Previously, the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung (German Newspaper) had reported on the failed deal. Background: VW is seeking a new purpose for the site when passenger car production ends there in 2027. And Rheinmetall, Germany's largest and currently significantly expanding arms company, was previously considered the most important potential buyer. Its CEO Armin Papperger also visited the factory a year ago and explored possibilities for further cooperation there.

Currently in demand, however, are 8-wheel reconnaissance tanks & more

According to a Rheinmetall spokesperson, the Osnabrück location would have been attractive for the company to produce 6-wheel armored vehicles, but Rheinmetall currently does not need additional capacity for that. However, there is reportedly increased demand for tanks that move on eight wheels across terrain. To meet this demand, Rheinmetall is instead expanding its capacities in Kassel. Thus, the Osnabrück topic no longer appears to be of interest to Rheinmetall. But perhaps someone else might step in ...?

VW boss wants to decide this year

Just recently, VW boss Oliver Blume announced that by the end

In 2026, a decision about the future of the Osnabrück plant must be made. At the same time, it was also confirmed that there are talks with defence companies. From this, it can be concluded that not only Rheinmetall has expressed interest in Osnabrück. But time is pressing, as the production of the Porsche models built there will end this year. And by mid-2027, the production of the T-Roc Cabrio will also cease. If no solution is found, this will affect around 2,300 employees, it is reported. Incidentally, Osnabrück is the smallest Volkswagen plant, where Karmann models used to roll off the assembly line before Volkswagen took over.

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