Wolfgang Bernhard, head of the Volkswagen brand, has indicated in his first interview since taking the post in May this year that everything necessary for the group's success would be considered, including job losses and plant closures.

According to a Financial Times report, the chief target for a factory closure is understood to be VW’s Brussels plant, which employs 5,700 people and produced 184,500 cars last year, mainly Golfs. Belgium lost 3,000 automotive jobs in the mid-1990s when Renault closed its Vilvoorde plant. Ford has a plant in Genk also.

VW’s board has declined to comment on the future of its plants or on speculation concerning individual board members.