Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess has apologized for a remark he made earlier this week that caused many German citizens to think he was referring to a reviled Nazi slogan
Arbeit macht frei, literally “Work makes you free,” was inscribed on the gates of Auschwitz and other Nazi concentration camps during World War II. The phrase is attributed to Heinrich Himmler, Adolph Hitler’s propaganda chief, who began in 1933 to use dissidents for slave labor.
Adding to the perceived insensitivity of Diess’ remarks was its timing, coming as Volkswagen announced it would cut 7,000 jobs to shift its focus to producing electric cars, which require more sensors and navigation technology, but fewer workers to assemble. The company intends to become the largest electric car producer by 2025. The VW brand plans to introduce more than 20 battery-powered models, the first of which is scheduled to reach showrooms in 2020.
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