Group 1: Automotive Industry Employment Trends - The employment in the German automotive industry decreased by approximately 48,700 people year-on-year as of September 2025, marking a decline of 6.3%, with total employees dropping to 721,400, the lowest since Q2 2011 [1] - The automotive industry experienced the largest year-on-year employment decline among major industrial sectors with over 200,000 employees, despite remaining the second-largest industrial sector in Germany after mechanical engineering [1] - Within the automotive sector, suppliers faced significant layoffs, with employment in the automotive and engine manufacturing sector totaling 446,800, a year-on-year decrease of 3.8% [1] Group 2: Supplier Impact and Employment Statistics - Employment in the body, chassis, and trailer manufacturing sector saw a decline of 4.0%, with approximately 39,200 employees, while the automotive parts and accessories manufacturing sector experienced an 11.1% decrease, totaling around 235,400 employees [1] - Economists noted that the layoffs among suppliers were more pronounced than those among vehicle manufacturers, which is typical during economic downturns as manufacturers often shift cost pressures onto suppliers [1] Group 3: Broader Industrial Employment Trends - Other major industrial sectors in Germany also experienced varying degrees of layoffs, with the metal smelting and processing industry seeing a 5.4% year-on-year decline, and the data processing equipment, electronics, and optical products manufacturing sector declining by 3.0% [2] - The plastics and metal manufacturing industries also reported declines of 2.6% and 2.5%, respectively, both exceeding the average industrial decline [2] - Overall, German manufacturing employment totaled approximately 5.43 million as of September, reflecting a year-on-year decrease of 120,300, or 2.2% [3]