Author: World_Newz Mon

Mercedes’ and Suzuki’s Hungarian plants to suspend production over coronavirus

BUDAPEST, March 18 (Xinhua) — German carmaker Mercedes-Benz and Japanese carmaker Suzuki will both halt production at their Hungarian plants located respectively in Kecskemet (Center) and in Esztergom (North), next Monday due to the coronavirus outbreak, Hungarian news agency MTI reported on Wednesday.
“Production at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Kecskemet will be suspended from Monday, at the latest, for an initial period of two weeks,” MTI reported, citing a statement of the local unit of German automotive industry giant Daimler.
“An extension of this measure will depend on further developments,” Daimler added.
“The management of Hungarian Suzuki Inc. has decided to halt production at its plant in Esztergom, north of Budapest, from March 23 until April 3 because of rising risks of the spread of the coronavirus, the local unit of Japanese car maker Suzuki said on Wednesday,” reported MTI.
German carmaker Audi announced on Tuesday that it would halt production at its plant in Gyor, north..

Honda, Audi plants in Mexico suspend operations amid pandemic

MEXICO CITY, March 18 (Xinhua) — Japanese Honda and German Audi automobiles said Wednesday they were temporarily suspending production in their plants in Mexico due to a lack of inputs and a weak demand for vehicles amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Honda said it will idle its plant in central Guanajuato state from March 23 to 31, as part of a larger company strategy that has also affected plants in Canada and the United States.
The measure will cut North American regional output by some 40,000 vehicles, the company said in a statement.
“Approximately 27,600 Honda partners in North America” will be affected by this temporary suspension, it said.
Audi, which opened a plant in Mexico in 2016, said it will halt production from March 23 to April 13 because of a lack of inputs, a problem that has also impacted its plants in Germany, Belgium and Hungary.
The company said its plant in Mexico's central Puebla state lacks parts and materials for the Audi Q5, and has also experienced delays in t..

Coronavirus closure: Fiat Chrysler idles Ram 1500 pickup plant in Michigan

Fiat Chrysler is idling the Sterling Heights, Mich., factory where it builds the Ram 1500 indefinitely, after revealing that an employee at the facility tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19).On Monday, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM and the UAW came to an agreement on implementing new precautionary measures to continue U.S. auto manufacturing in the coming weeks.The Sterling Heights facility produces the latest generation Ram 1500, while the last generation 1500 Classic is built at factories in Warren, Mich., and Mexico that remain open.

Coronavirus Closure: Ford Ranger factory shut after employee tests positive

Ford is temporarily closing its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19), Fox 2 Reported.The moves come after the three Detroit automakers and the UAW worked out an agreement to prevent a total manufacturing shutdown in exchange for the implementation of new protocols to help prevent the spread of the virus.The automaker has also reported a case of the coronavirus at its Dearborn product development center and will be idling its European factories indefinitely beginning March 19.

Nissan to end car manufacturing at Indonesia plant to curb costs

Nissan Motor will end vehicle manufacturing at its plant in Indonesia in order to rightsize and move toward improved profitability.A plan to revamp the business is due in May, and the future of the Indonesia operations had long been in question.Mitsubishi Motors, which is in a global carmaking alliance with Nissan, already has a strong presence in Southeast Asia.

Rolls-Royce motor cars suspend production in UK over coronavirus

LONDON, March 18 (Reuters) – Rolls-Royce motor cars said it would suspend production at its British plant for two weeks to ensure the health of its employees.
“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today that production at the company's Goodwood-based manufacturing plant will be suspended from Monday 23 March for two weeks,” the company said.

Jaguar Land Rover stops production in Nitra

Following the decision of two big carmakers in Slovakia, Volkswagen and PSA Peugeot, to temporarily stop production, the Nitra-based plant of Jaguar Land Rover will limit its operation.The decision was made by the company’s management and the representatives of the trade unions.The representatives of the trade unions at Jaguar Land Rover thanked the management for the decision.

First look: VW’s Ford-based Amarok pickup revealed

Volkswagen’s first Ford Ranger-based pickup looks like it’s built pretty tough.The Amarok image depicts it as an exaggerated design concept with oversized wheels, wide fender flares and a bulging hood, but offers a clear idea of the direction VW is going in with the shape of the headlights grille and overall style.The look is far more aggressive than the current Amarok.

Volkswagen starts shutting down production in Europe in face of coronavirus

The German carmaker, which owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Porsche, Seat and Skoda brands, said the uncertainty about the fallout from the pandemic meant it was impossible to give any forecasts for its performance this year.Some of its manufacturing has resumed in China.Earnings were driven by higher profits at its VW, Porsche, Seat and Skoda brands, and a return to profitability for its luxury sportscar brand Bentley.