French carmakers stop production until further notice

French car makers have stopped production this week, closing down most of their plants to carry out sanitisation procedures, Kallanish learns from local car manufacturers.

French car maker PSA is shutting down all its plants in Europe. “Due to the acceleration observed in recent days of serious Covid-19 cases close to certain production sites, supply disruptions from major suppliers, as well as the sudden decline in the automobile markets, the company decided the closure of its production sites in Europe starting on 16 March until 27 March… The closure of the mechanical sites will be adjusted accordingly.” PSA says in a note.

As from 16 March Renault has also shut down its 12 plants in France, Spain, Slovenia, Morocco and Portugal “… until further notice, depending on the evolution of the health situation”, the company confirms in a note. The continuity of production activities at the group’s plants in other European countries depends on the situation in each country.

Renault plans to restart production activities “… as soon as conditions permit and will implement appropriate measures to respond effectively to commercial demand,” the carmaker adds. The factory in Cacia, Portugal is closed from Wednesday 18 March while the company’s Moroccan sites in Tangier and Casablanca will be idled as from Thursday 19 March. The site in Revoz was also idled on 17 March.