Several automakers on Monday reopened or are preparing to restart factories in China after an extended holiday shutdown due to the coronavirus, which is now responsible for more than deaths in the country. Ford Motor resumed vehicle production at its plants in Chongqing and Hangzhou, according to Anderson Chan, a company spokesman. It's unclear when the facilities will fully reopen to their capacity before the shutdown, which started late last month. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker operates six assembly plants in the country.
Tesla, according to Reuters and local media reports, on Monday reopened its Shanghai gigafactory. Tesla on Jan. Spokespeople for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Other automakers such as General Motors and Japan's largest automakers are preparing to restart their China operations in the coming days and weeks, according to officials. China's National Health Commission on Monday said there have been more than 40, confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country, with more than deaths due the deadly pneumonia-like virus.
The epicenter of the virus is believed to be Wuhan, a major auto hub and home of Dongfeng Motor, one of the largest and most diversified joint venture automakers in China. The tiered openings, he said, would be based on supply base availability, employee health concerns and local government recommendations. Toyota Motor this week is preparing its four plants to resume operations starting "the following week and beyond," according to a company statement Friday.
Eric Booth, a spokesman for Toyota, confirmed those plans remain on Monday, declining to elaborate on details of the reopenings. Nissan Motor on Monday confirmed it is "preparing to restart production in China at the earliest from Feb.
