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, northwestern Hungary, next Monday due to the coronavirus and uncertainties in component supply.
With the announcement of Daimler and Suzuki, the three major car factories in Hungary will come to a temporary halt.
According to the Hungarian government's updated statistics, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases stood at 58 as of Wednesday, with two reported recoveries and one fatality.