As the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to bite, Slovakia's last carmaker to remain open, Kia Motors, has announced the suspension of production for two weeks.
Kia Slovakia
“With full awareness and responsibility for the health of our employees and their families, and to prevent the coronavirus from spreading, Kia Motors Slovakia will temporarily halt its production for two weeks, starting on March 23,” the company said.
The measure does not include staff whose presence in the company is essential, added Kia spokesperson Ján Žgravčák.
Žilina-based Kia is the last automotive firm in the central European country to make the announcement. PSA Peugeot and Volkswagen halted activities earlier this week, with Jaguar Land Rover suspending all activity at its plant in Nitra today.
Auto supplier Continental also announced earlier this week that in would suspend production of tyres at its Púchov facility. The official explanation is due to a drop in orders, rather than the coronavirus directly.
“Despite the measures adopted to minimise the risk of spreading the pandemic, global markets are responding with the drop in demand for our products,” said Continental spokesperson Katarína Pavlisová.
Automotive manufacturing is the largest industry in Slovakia, accounting for around 12% of the Slovak GDP, and 44% of the country's total industrial production. The sector employs over 250,000 people directly and indirectly.
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