First Reported Job Cuts at Volkswagen Since Emissions Scandal

BERLIN (AP) – A Volkswagen engine plant is cutting back one shift per week in response to the emissions-rigging scandal.

Stella Pechmann, a spokeswoman for the Salzgitter plant in central Germany, confirmed a report Wednesday in the Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung daily that the "special shift" is being cut as a precaution because of the current situation. The shift had previously been added to deal with high demand.

Separately, the company’s Volkswagen Financial Services division is freezing new hiring until the end of the year, though spokesman Stefan Voges told news agency dpa that existing hiring agreements are unaffected.