After Volkswagen?s new electric car the E-Golf failed a crash test, stronger metal needed to be added to the car to strengthen the frame. Due to a lack of room for more robots on the assembly line, workers at the plant have been tasked with moving the heavy metal by hand. Over a decade ago in Germany, Volkswagen cut 20,000 jobs creating poor employer employee relations. These worsening labor practices only further deteriorate relations.
See "In a Push for Top Spot, Volkswagen Hits Labor, Robot Problems", Andreas Cremer, Reuters, September 23, 2014