An e-station sign is seen on the ground of an empty parking slot at the commercial vehicles plant of German car manufacturer Volkswagen (VW) on December 20, 2024 in Hanover, northern Germany. The crisis-wracked auto titan has been locked in bitter talks with unions since announcing in September that it was mulling the unprecedented step of shuttering plants in Germany. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)