Covid-19 impacted over 1.1 million EU automotive jobs so far

At least 1.1 million jobs in the European automotive manufacturing sector have been affected by the outbreak of the coronavirus, according to new data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). 

ACEA said that the figure of 1,110,107 relates only to those who are employed directly by car, van, bus and truck manufacturers across the continent, with the impact on the wider automotive supply chain being even bigger. 

EU-wide production losses due to factory shutdowns amount to at least 1,231,038 motor vehicles so far. The average shutdown duration is 16 working days at the moment. Production losses are obviously set to increase if shutdowns are extended or additional plants are brought to a halt. 

In total 2.6 million direct manufacturing jobs are provided by the EU automotive industry, with vehicle makers operating 229 vehicle assembly and production plants across the region. The wider auto sector provides indirect and direct jobs for 13.8 million people in the European Union.

“Right now, the primary concern of ACEA and all its members is to manage the immediate crisis facing the auto industry, which has essentially come to an abrupt halt – something the sector has never experienced before,” stated Eric-Mark Huitema, ACEA Director General.

“Our first priority is to protect the health and jobs of the almost 14 million Europeans who work directly or indirectly in our sector.”

ACEA has published this information in two interactive maps visually showing the impact on the automobile industry for each of the 27 EU member states plus the United Kingdom, both in terms of the number of employees affected and lost production in units.

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