As Volkswagen weighs its first closure of a German auto plant, workers aren't the only ones worried 

Employees protest before the start of a works meeting in a hall at the VW plant in Wolfsburg, Sept. 4, 2024. Volkswagen has announced that it will tighten its austerity measures due to the tense situation of the core brand. Oliver Blume, left, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and Porsche AG, and Thomas Sch'fer, Member of the Board of Management of the Volkswagen brand, take part in a work meeting at the VW plant in Wolfsburg, Sept. 4, 2024. FILE - In this March 8, 2018 photo Volkswagen cars are pictured during a final quality control at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, Germany. FILE - In this March 8, 2018 photo Volkswagen cars are pictured during the production at the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg, Germany.

Volkswagen is considering closing some factories in its home country for the first time in the German automaker's 87-year history, saying it otherwise won't meet the cost-cutting goals it needs to remain competitive.