Volkswagen's Audi says no suitable buyer so far for Brussels plant

Volkswagen's luxury division Audi has so far not found a potential suitor for its plant in Brussels that was put under review in July, saying none of the 26 potential buyers it held talks with was prepared to take on the roughly 3,000 staff.

"Unfortunately, there is currently no concept that will secure jobs at the site in the long term," Gerd Walker, Audi's board member in charge of production, said.

An Audi spokesperson separately said that Audi had been talking to both carmakers as well as suppliers about a sale of the plant, declining to be more specific, but adding that bids could still be submitted.

Volkswagen in July cut its outlook after warning it may have to close Audi's factory in Brussels due to a sharp drop in demand for high-end electric vehicles, pointing to costs of up to 2.6 billion euros ($2.9 billion) to find an alternative use for the site or close it.

Talks are now underway about a social plan for factory's staff, Audi said, adding a working group was also examining whether there is a future for the site within the Volkswagen Group.