Audi is restarting its engine plant in Hungary with a gradual ramp up, while Renault, too, is slowly resuming operations in Portugal, Romania, and Russia, despite regional lockdowns.
European manufacturing has suffered since government-imposed restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. According to reports, Europe may lose 3mn vehicle sales this year—the equivalent of €60bn ($65.48bn) in lost revenue.
Audi’s Gyoer plant in Hungary, which employs around 100 workers, restarted production on an assembly line in a single-shift system, according to media reports, with a second assembly line slated to follow by the end of the week.
Audi provides the greatest operating profit to Volkswagen, its parent company that employs around 470,000 people in Europe—about 70pc—of approximately 670,000 worldwide.
Volkswagen maintained activity in some segments of its German operations during the shutdown to keep supplying parts to Chinese factories, as that country’s auto industry began emerging from lockdown.
Renault has resumed some activities in Portugal and plans to resume a portion of its production in Romania by April 21, according to reports. Operations in Russia gradually recommenced on April 13.
German automakers, such as Daimler and BMW, are currently holding discussions with government leaders on resumption dates for their regional auto plants.
Hyundai’s automaking plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic is restarting production using only two shifts instead of three, according to reports.
As auto production resumes, it’s unclear when consumer sales will pick up again.
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