The famous automotive company Mercedes-Benz has surprised the world with its latest decision: it’s offering great amounts of money to some of its workers so that they quit voluntarily. What?! This is a well thought-out decision that aims to reduce costs and adapt to the future of electric vehicles,a transformation that’s changing the automotive industry.
According to the German business outlet Handelsblatt, Mercedes-Benz has launched a voluntary quit program that offers certain workers up to €500,000 (around $580,000) in compensation if they agree to leave their jobs. The program has already been presented to around 40,00 employees and around 4,000 of them have accepted the offer. Let’s find out more about this shocking program.
Saving and electric future
The project is called ‘’Next Level Performance’’ and it’s part of a bigger strategy to save about €5,000 million until 2027. The main goal is to streamline the company’s workforce and adapt its structure to the new demands of electric car production.
For decades, Mercedes-Benz has been known for its powerful gasoline and diesel engines, symbols of German luxury. However, times are changing and:
- The demand for electric vehicles is growing worldwide.
- The cost of raw materials used in electric car batteries is rising.
- And at the same time, sales of traditional combustion cars are slowly declining.
This is why the company needs to find a balance between investing in new technology and keeping part of its traditional production, while the change toward electric vehicles is completed.
How much a Mercedes-Benz worker receives
The compensations offered by the program vary depending on the age, the amount of time working, the position, and the salary. For example, a 55-year-old worker who has worked in the company for 30 years and earns €9,000 per month, could receive more than €500,000 if he or she decides to quit.
The program started in April of 2024 and will be available until March of 2026, so employees have enough time to think if they want to accept the money and quit, or keep working at the company.
No forced layoffs
Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, explained that the idea behind this plan is not to fire people, but avoid forced layoffs and, at the same time, preparing the company for a market that’s changing very fast.
Ola pointed out that the future of the automotive industry is entirely electric and with zero emissions. However, he also highlighted that it’s important to have a balance, which means to keep producing traditional models while investing in innovation.
According to the CEO, this plan represents an opportunity to modernize the company without damaging workers by giving them a fair and voluntary option to quit if they wish.
Mercedes-Benz still supports EVs
While this restructuring is happening, the company continues to push forward with electric vehicle production. On October 13 of 2024, Mercedes-Benz presented a new production line in Sebes, Romania, exclusively dedicated to manufacturing electric vehicles. This project required an investment of more than €100 million, which proves the company’s deep commitment with sustainable mobility.
So…
This decision also reflects a bigger truth about modern business: even legendary brands must adapt and reinvent themselves to survive in a fast-changing world. As the global auto industry moves toward a cleaner and greener era, Mercedes-Benz aims to stay at the forefront — blending innovation, responsibility, and respect for its workforce.
For employees, it’s a moment to decide whether to stay for the next chapter, or leave with one of the most generous offers the industry has ever seen. If you were working at Mercedes-Benz and you were given this opportunity, what would you do?