Both Mercedes as well as Audi are hoping to restart production at their European plants before the end of the month, even though it all depends on what the pandemic countermeasures will be like in a few weeks time.
Mercedes will first reopen its powertrain plants, said parent company Daimler in a statement today. The plan is to build up a supply of key parts for the actual vehicle assembly plants, reports Autonews Europe.
With that in mind, the carmaker’s engine plants and its Kamenz EV battery facility will begin ramping up production on April 20, followed by production restarts at Mercedes’ car factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen.
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“During the staggered ramp-up, these plants will initially be operating in a one-shift operation,” said Daimler.
Meanwhile, a Mercedes spokeswoman stated that production in Sindelfingen, where the E-Class and S-Class are built, and Bremen (C-Class, GLC, EQC), might not recommence until April 27.
Audi’s plans are similar in the sense that its home plant in Ingolstadt (home of the Q2, A3, A4 and A5) will restart production on April 27 as well. Also, before that happens, the company will resume production at its Gyor factory in Hungary in order to build up supplies for its other manufacturing facilities.
Gyor is one of the world’s largest powertrain factories, having produced no fewer than 1.97 million engines last year for Audi as well as other VW Group brands. Aside from electric motors, there were five gasoline and three diesel units being made there, with power outputs ranging from 86 HP to 639 HP.
