EMDEN, Germany (Reuters) -German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Friday that he wants to help Volkswagen get through this period of cost-cutting without site closures. During a visit to the carmaker's factory in Emden,

GERMAN Economy Minister Robert Habeck floated the idea of additional support for the country’s carmakers, and will discuss ways to address the challenges facing the embattled sector in upcoming talks with executives in Berlin.

Volkswagen said earlier this month it needed significant restructuring to stay competitive, and was considering shutting sites in Germany for the first time in its 87-year history

Germany's government is considering ways to support Volkswagen, German economy minister and vice chancellor Robert Habeck said on Thursday, when asked about the threat of job cuts at the country's largest carmaker.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has called on Volkswagen to refrain from factory closures. "The locations should be preserved," he said during a visit to the VW plant in the north-western city of Emden.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Berlin is looking into ways to support ailing carmaker Volkswagen amid the threat of job cuts. The firm has been grappling with weak electric vehicle sales.