Volkswagen is weighing the closure of four manufacturing plants in Germany and expanding planned workforce reductions to as many as 100,000 employees, according to people familiar with the matter. If approved, the move would mark the largest restructuring in the automaker’s history.

The proposals are expected to be presented to Volkswagen’s supervisory board on July 9. The potential closures include facilities in Hanover, Zwickau, Emden, and Audi’s Neckarsulm plant, placing more than 45,000 jobs at risk. Combined with roughly 50,000 positions already slated for elimination, total job cuts could reach six figures.

Volkswagen is under growing pressure from fierce competition in China, US tariffs on imported vehicles, and weakening demand across Europe, prompting management to accelerate cost-cutting efforts.

Reports also suggest the company is considering reducing capital investment by around 15 percent over the next five years and exploring a separation of its core Volkswagen brand and parts business as part of a broader restructuring plan.

A Volkswagen spokesperson declined to comment on the reported proposals but said the group requires “far-reaching” changes. The company’s works council, IG Metall union, and the German state of Lower Saxony have all signaled strong opposition to any factory closures or large-scale layoffs.