The firm is among 16 main research and development sites established in 2015 following the acquisition of thermal activities at Delphi Bascharage.

The unions reportedly learned of the plans on 6 November through a member of the staff delegation and lamented the fact they were not directly informed by the company.

In a statement published on Tuesday, they said that Mahle Behr justifies the closure by the fact they no longer have “the necessary skills to deal with the constant developments in the automotive sector.” The announcement follows a first social plan in 2017 in which 60 jobs were axed.

Mahle said in a statement that activities at the Foetz location will be gradually discontinued by mid-2021. It will enter into discussions with employee representatives to find solutions, possibility of continued employment at other Mahle locations. “By relocating the development activities from Luxembourg to Mahle locations with expertise in the areas of electric motors and electronics, we’re creating the right geographical conditions for even more efficient integration and more effective cooperation between the development teams,” said Bernd Eckl, member of the Mahle management board.