Kassel's new automobile age: Professor Dörre is driving change!

Kassel's new automobile age: Professor Dörre is driving change!

On March 14, 2025, Prof. Dr. Klaus Dörre introduced as a new guest professor at the Kassel Institute for Sustainability. Dörre, who previously taught at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena for over two decades, brings extensive experience in work, industrial and economic sociology. He expressed his delight at the opportunity to teach and research at the University of Kassel. Dörre emphasizes that Kassel and the surrounding districts are at the center of the transformation of the automotive industry and sees major challenges and opportunities in this region.

Particularly relevant is the current situation at the Volkswagen factory in Baunatal, which is facing possible losses of up to 8,000 jobs as the company transforms towards e-mobility. Dörre's comprehensive study of this transformation will serve as a basis for his teaching and research. He plans to visit the VW factory with his students and invite practitioners to the university.

Transformation of the automotive industry

The automotive industry is under considerable pressure. The switch from combustion engines to electric drives is a vital challenge for many companies. The factory in Baunatal, with 16,000 employees, currently produces two million exhaust systems for combustion vehicles every year, but at the same time develops new products such as the APP 550 electric drive for the ID model family. The works council uses creative approaches to motivate the workforce for change, particularly through events and information discussions.

This transformation is not without employee concerns. A study by the University of Jena shows that many employees are afraid of losing their jobs by switching to e-mobility. In this context, the “Kasseler Weg” can be seen as a location strategy that combines social responsibility and climate protection. Four projects were launched to promote the transition, including an electric car driving event and team discussions to promote the new technologies.

Impact on employment

The major changes in the automotive industry are accompanied by a drastic reduction in jobs. Forecasts indicate that with 80% electrification in car production, around 170,000 jobs could be lost, representing over 18% of the industry's workforce. The impact will also affect upstream and downstream industries, including metal production and auto repair shops, which are under pressure from the lower maintenance intensity of electric drives.

In this movement towards climate neutrality by 2050, the development and production of battery cells is becoming increasingly important. German car manufacturers are investing in creating their own battery cell production to reduce dependence on supplies from Asia. In this context, the fears of the workforce must also be taken seriously in order to make the transition process socially acceptable.

Prof. Dörre sees the spatial and social diversity of North Hesse as central to his future research. The proportion of migrants in Kassel and the challenges of rural areas, where the proportion of AfD voters is high, will be key topics of his professorship. Dörre's commitment will help to shed more light on the complex aspects of the transformation.

How uni-kassel.de reports, the Kassel Institute for Sustainability brings together top sustainability-related expertise and promotes critical and solution-oriented research in the areas that are important for the region and industry. These aspects will be of great importance for Dörre's teaching and support the challenges of transformation in the automotive industry.

In summary, it can be said that the VW plant in Baunatal and the changes associated with it represent a central point in the discussion about the future of the automotive industry. The challenges are immense, but sustainable research and adapted training strategies also offer new opportunities for employees. The path to climate neutrality requires a holistic approach that takes both technological and social aspects into account. The developments here will not only influence the region, but also have far-reaching effects on the entire industry, such as vda.de determines.

The goal for the Kassel plant remains clear: the transformation to e-mobility should not only be perceived as a threat, but also as an opportunity for innovation and sustainable development.