Coronavirus Update: Volkswagen Suspends Production In European Plants

• Affected plants include ones in Wolfsburg, Emden, Dresden, Osnabrück, Zwickau, Bratislava (Slovakia), Pamplona (Spain), and Palmela (Portugal).
• Further measures like cancellation of major events, closure of canteens, and adoption of work-from-home policies.
• Company has also halted travel to other countries, business trips, and internal shuttle flights between locations.

The ever-increasing global threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused lockdowns in many countries around the world. This has also disturbed the auto industry where production and dealerships are being forced to halt operations. The latest to be affected is Volkswagen. It has announced that production in European plants will be suspended from today onwards. This will initially take effect at plants in Wolfsburg, Emden, Dresden, Osnabrück, Zwickau, Bratislava (Slovakia), Pamplona (Spain) and Palmela (Portugal), as well as component plants in Brunswick, Chemnitz, Hanover, Kassel, Salzgitter, and SITECH. Volkswagen joins an ever-growing list of manufacturers suspending operations like Ferrari.  

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The carmaker is also implementing further measures to contain the spread of the virus such as  closure of the company canteens, self-service shops, cafeterias, bistros, restaurants, and catering services. Moreover, meetings are being held via Skype and all major events have been cancelled. 

Volkswagen has also asked employees not to return to company facilities from other countries after March 14 during the incubation period of 14 weekdays. Employees have been advised to largely avoid contact and instead review the possibilities of working from home. In terms of travel, the company has issued a halt for business trips, internal shuttle flights between locations and also to other countries. 

 Also Read:

• Coronavirus Update: Volvo Directs Its Indian Employees To Work From Home
• Ferrari Suspends Production In Italy And Initiates Work From Home In India To Prevent Coronavirus Spread
• 2020 Honda City India Unveil Postponed Due To Coronavirus Maruti Ciaz Rival Expected To Launch In April 2020
• Toyota Reveals Precautionary Measures In Response To The Coronavirus Outbreak

As things stand, COVID-19 has infected 227,746 people so far with 9,303 deaths confirmed. Majority of new cases are currently outside China, where the virus originated. Coronavirus is also slowly making its way into India, with 180 confirmed cases and 4 deaths. Due to the suspension of vehicle production, we can expect a drop in sales and an increase in waiting periods for new vehicles.