Ha Eontae, President of Hyundai Motor, "Temporary closure inevitable due to novel coronavirus... Timing of reopening remains uncertain"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Ha Eontae, President of Hyundai Motor Company, stated regarding the Ulsan plant's adjustment of production speed due to supply disruptions of parts related to the novel coronavirus, "This is an emergency situation where 'shutdown' is unavoidable due to supply disruptions of Chinese-made parts," and added, "The timing of the end of the shutdown is inevitably fluid."

On the 3rd, President Ha declared a "global emergency" in an email sent to Ulsan plant employees and on the company bulletin board titled "A Message to Employees Regarding the Novel Coronavirus."

He explained, "Due to the current situation where companies in China have implemented work restrictions, the production suspension of some suppliers providing parts to our company is prolonged, making shutdowns by plant and by line unavoidable. However, since there are differences in inventory quantities by plant and line, and the company is doing its best to secure parts supply, the timing and method of shutdowns may vary by plant and line."

Earlier, on the 31st, Hyundai Motor labor and management held the first practical consultation regarding the novel coronavirus situation in the Ulsan plant conference room. Various countermeasures such as suspension of overtime and shutdowns due to parts supply interruptions were discussed at this meeting.

President Ha urged that despite the unavoidable shutdown caused by parts supply disruptions, efforts to secure productivity must continue.

He emphasized, "Although we cannot immediately clarify the production operation plan, once detailed plans are finalized, we will promptly notify the field," and added, "We ask for your magnanimous cooperation despite some inconveniences."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.