BERLIN, Oct 1 (Reuters) - Volkswagen's

luxury division Audi has so far not found a potential suitor for

its plant in Brussels that was put under review in July, saying

none of the 26 potential buyers it held talks with was prepared

to take on the roughly 3,000 staff.

"Unfortunately, there is currently no concept that will

secure jobs at the site in the long term," Gerd Walker, Audi's

board member in charge of production, said.

An Audi spokesperson separately said that Audi had been

talking to both carmakers as well as suppliers about a sale of

the plant, declining to be more specific, but adding that bids

could still be submitted.

Volkswagen in July cut its outlook after warning it may have

to close Audi's factory in Brussels due to a sharp drop in

demand for high-end electric vehicles, pointing to costs of up

to 2.6 billion euros ($2.9 billion) to find an alternative use

for the site or close it.

News about the difficulties to find a buyer for the factory

come amid broader fears over possible site closures in Germany,

considerations Europe's top carmaker first disclosed a month ago

in what has developed into a major clash with labour unions.

Belgian newspaper De Tijd last month reported that Chinese

EV maker Nio was among the parties interested in

Audi's Brussels site.

Asked about the report at the time, Nio's Chief Executive

William Li denied that there were plans to acquire the plant.

Talks are now underway about a social plan for factory's

staff, Audi said, adding a working group was also examining

whether there is a future for the site within the Volkswagen

Group.

($1 = 0.9028 euros)