Tens of thousands of Volkswagen workers are taking part in strikes at plants across Germany Monday, marking the largest walkouts at the carmaker’s domestic operations since 2018.

Volkswagen has threatened to close plants in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history to reduce costs and boost profit.

Following widespread strikes by Volkswagen employees this week, a turbulent meeting over major cost-cutting plans was expected at the carmaker's German headquarters on Wednesday. Chief executive Oliver Blume was due to address workers at the plant in Wolfsburg,