Czech carmaker Skoda Auto will suspend production at its plant in Kvasiny for at least a week, starting from 11 September, the company tells Kallanish. This is due to disruption in supply from a key parts maker in Slovenia, whose production was hit by recent flooding.
“Skoda Auto can confirm that the flooding in Slovenia has affected a subcontractor that supplies components for combustion engines (ICEs) of Skoda models as well as other brands within the group,” a Skoda spokesperson says. “Efforts are underway to fully restore production at this plant. At the moment, the subcontractor can only supply in limited quantities. The Volkswagen Group is deploying specialised staff to support the cleanup efforts on-site.”
According to the spokesperson, due to the disruption in the provision of components across the Volkswagen Group’s supply chain, shortages will also have a short-term impact on Skoda Auto. “However, production at the Mlada Boleslav plant is currently running without alterations,” she adds.
“Our teams are working diligently to minimise any potential impact and deliver as many cars as possible to our customers,” the spokesperson observes. “We are discussing all steps with our social partner, the KOVO trade union. We cannot comment on the implications for our plants or specific models and numbers due to the dynamic nature of the situation.”
The news of Skoda’s production stoppage comes about two weeks after Toyota’s Kolin plant was also forced to halt production. The company is short of parts from supplier Novares CZ Zebrak, whose warehouses suffered a severe fire. The shutdown at the Kolin plant will last until at least 15 September.
Czech passenger car production grew 14% on-year in June to 142,874 units, taking six-month output up 22% on-year to 738,454 units (see Kallanish passim).
Largest carmaker Skoda saw first-half output rise 32% to 464,353 cars, while Hyundai’s production grew 6% to 177,100 units and Toyota reported a 9% increase to 97,001 cars.
Svetoslav Abrossimov Bulgaria