Mercedes-Benz Cuts German Staff Hours and Delays Bonus Payments

Mercedes-Benz plans to increase the weekly working hours for its German employees from 35 to 40 hours without raising wages. Under this adjustment, employees will work approximately 260 additional hours per year. Additionally, the company has decided to postpone a special bonus—originally scheduled for July 2024 and equivalent to 18% of one month’s salary—for around 90,000 employees until 2027. This move comes amid mounting pressures across the automotive industry, including tariff impacts and weaker-than-expected demand for electric vehicles, which have significantly increased cost pressures on Mercedes-Benz.