European car factories shutting as virus fears take toll

Barcelona - Europe's major car and parts makers rushed on Wednesday to close factories and cut output in Italy and considered sending workers home elsewhere, in the first signs that coronavirus is disrupting the region's struggling automotive industry.

Italian tyremaker Pirelli had said on Tuesday it was cutting production at its Settimo Torinese plant in northern Italy after a worker tested positive for the virus. The French carmaker was beefing up safety rules on Wednesday at its Mulhouse plant with a 5000-strong workforce in eastern France after one employee tested positive, a spokeswoman said. The man has been on sick leave since February 29.

VW's Czech Skoda unit also said there was the risk of a shortage of parts from China that might affect several of its plants.The disruptions are the latest blow to Europe's car makers, which are struggling with weak global demand and high costs of meeting the region's tough emissions targets. Seat would make temporary layoffs if it had to cut production due to supply issues, the spokesman said.

South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Five things you need to know from health minister Zweli Mkhize's address about coronavirusThree locals who travelled to Italy tested positive for the virus. I so wish that a panel of experts (doctors) could be appointed to handle all communications around this virus. These ministers do not inspire any confidence for me 🤔
Source: TimesLIVE - 🏆 28. / 59 Read more »

EDITORIAL: One certainty in the uncertainty: there’s more pain aheadJust when virus-hit markets thought things couldn’t get worse, the Saudis twist their knife in
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Tips to prevent spread of coronavirus in schoolsGlobal health organisations are hoping to help prevent school-based transmissions of the virus.
Source: TheCitizen_News - 🏆 6. / 75 Read more »

No breathalysers to test for virus please, says Cosatu unionUnion says the risk of getting infected through a breathalyser is high as the virus is concentrated in one place
Source: BDliveSA - 🏆 12. / 63 Read more »

Tokyo Disney parks extend closure until early April over virusThe operator of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea said the parks will remain closed through early April over fears of the coronavirus outbreak. Confirmed...13 cases in SA so far,
Source: eNCA - 🏆 49. / 51 Read more »

China's Xi says Wuhan has 'turned the tide' against virus epidemicDuring Xi's trip, Hubei announced it would ease travel restrictions to allow healthy people in low-risk areas to travel throughout the province.
Source: ewnupdates - 🏆 30. / 53 Read more »