Restart of Chinese Parts Factory Halted by Coronavirus Begins

[Asia Economy Reporter Su-yeon Woo] The Chinese auto parts factories, which had been halted due to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), began partial resumption of operations starting from the 6th.

Hyundai Motor Group announced on the 9th that some factories producing wiring harnesses in China have been operating at a pilot level since the end of last week. About 20 local factories that started pilot operations are striving to increase their operating rates.

According to relevant authorities, it was confirmed that 15 factories in Shandong Province, China, approved by the Chinese government, began early operations from the afternoon of the 6th. From the 7th, nine more companies started operations, and on the 8th, four companies were able to run their production lines.

Hyundai Motor Group plans to complete disinfection and line inspections at its finished car factories in China next week and start operations from the 17th. The resident staff in China will operate with the minimum personnel necessary for preparation.

Workers at Hyundai Motor's Ulsan plant, which decided to shut down due to the suspension of Chinese parts supply amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, are leaving work wearing masks. Photo by Yonhap News

Domestic finished car factories will monitor the situation further, considering the supply status of parts in China. The current domestic factory operation schedule, decided through labor-management agreements, is that Hyundai Motor's Ulsan Plant 2 will be closed until the 10th, and all other plants will be closed until the 11th. Kia Motors will temporarily suspend operations at Hwaseong Plant until the 10th, and at Sohari Plant and Gwangju Plant until the 11th.

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