00:00Mercedes-Benz has suspended further investment at its German sites, as talks with the Works
00:05Council and IG Metall over cost cuts remain deadlocked.
00:09The company says it must assess which factories can remain profitable.
00:14It wants to avoid closures, but is now examining them more closely.
00:19The dispute centers on labor costs.
00:22Mercedes says an hour of work in Germany can cost up to five times as much as in Eastern
00:27Europe.
00:28Management is seeking longer working hours without extra pay.
00:33Cuts to profit sharing, holiday and Christmas bonuses are also under discussion, prompting
00:38employee protests.
00:41Mercedes has warned that two plans could close if savings are not agreed.
00:45One assembly plant and one powertrain site.
00:48No locations have been named.
00:50Volkswagen and Audi are also cutting costs.
00:54Mercedes has faced falling sales and weaker profits in recent years, reflecting wider pressure
01:00on Germany's car industry.
01:01history.
