Auto giant Volkswagen's potential plan to shutter four German factories and ramp up job cuts to as many as 100,000 could ​be the biggest ever overhaul in the industry.

The carmaker ‌faces mounting pressure from Chinese rivals, stiff tariffs on car imports into the United States, as well as dwindling demand in Europe, which the company ​has said makes its business model unsustainable.

General ⁠Motors , December 1991:Laid off: 74,000
General Motors unveiled a plan to cut 74,000 ​jobs, and close 21 plants as the auto industry struggled with ​staggering losses amid weak demand and more competition from Japanese carmakers.

General Motors, 2006-2009
Laid off: 60,500
Between 2006 and 2009, the automaker slashed 60,500 factory jobs, opens new tab, half of ​its factory workforce.

The company also planned to cut 20% of ​its white-collar workforce, but did not provide absolute figures. Its salaried employees count ‌stood ⁠at 110,000 in December 2005.

General Motors, February 2009
Laid off: 47,000
General Motors said it would cut 47,000 jobs, over the year as part of a restructuring programme in which the automaker also said it would need $30 billion ​in taxpayer funding ​to survive.

Ford ⁠Motor January 2002
Laid Off: 35,000
In 2002, Ford said it would cut 35,000 jobs worldwide, close five North ​American plants and slash its production capacity by ​16% as ⁠part of a sweeping restructuring plan.

Volkswagen, January 1993
Laid Off: 30,000
Volkswagen said it would cut 30,000 jobs, opens new tab in plants worldwide by the end of 1994, ⁠as ​part of a plan set by ​its four marques, VW, Audi, SEAT SA and Skoda.


-Reuters