German carmakers to resume production

Volkswagen and other German carmakers are resuming production despite the continued Covid-19 pandemic. This is because the availability of parts has improved, government restrictions have eased, and there have been positive developments in sales markets.

The VW Passenger Cars brand will restart production step-by-step. First production is to be resumed at the plants in Zwickau and Bratislava (Slovakia) in the week from 20 April, Kallanish learns from a corporate announcement.

The other plants in Germany, Portugal, Spain, Russia and the USA are to restart production in the week from 27 April. In the course of May production will be resumed in South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and Mexico.

Volkswagen Group Components had already resumed production at its plants in Brunswick and Kassel from 6 April, followed by the plants in Salzgitter, Chemnitz and Hanover. The Polish resumed on 14 April.

“Following the decisions by the federal and state governments in Germany and the loosening of restrictions in other European states, conditions have been established for the gradual resumption of production,” says Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand chief operating officer Ralf Brandstätter. Short-time working will continue and the numbers of employees will continue to be reduced.

The Daimler group has also decided to resume production in Europe. From 20 April this will affect the car powertrain plants in Germany, followed by the Mercedes-Benz car plants in Sindelfingen and Bremen, as well as the van plants. These plants will initially produce in a one-shift operation. The truck and bus plants will also resume production from 20 April.

Audi plans to start up car production at its main plant in Ingolstadt at the end of April.

Porsche, however, will keep production at its main plants in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen and Leipzig suspended for at least another week, the company says.