Ferrari and Lamborghini halt production due to coronavirus

Italian supercar makers Ferrari and Lamborghini have stopped production of their cars as a result of the coronavirus.

Both have said that their Italian plants will shut down for at least two weeks as part of a wider lockdown across the country, which has been badly hit by the virus.

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The two firms are both based in the north of Italy, with Ferrari’s Maranello and Modena facilities and Lamborghini’s Sant’ Agata plant only around 20 miles apart.

Ferrari has said production will be suspended at its road car and F1 facilities until at least March 27, while Lamborghini’s factory is closed until March 25.

Italy has been the country worst affected by coronavirus in Europe, with more than 1,800 deaths so far. The country has imposed strict travel restrictions, closed shops, schools, tourist sites and suspended sporting events in a bid to contain the outbreak.

Lamborghini chairman Stefano Domenicali said: “This measure is an act of social responsibility and high sensibility towards our people.

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“We continue to monitor the situation in order to react rapidly and with the right flexibility, in collaboration with our people and in order to restart with energy in the right moment.”

Ferrari said “serious” supply chain issues were affecting its ability to production vehicles. CEO Louis Camilleri added: “It is out of respect for [Ferrari’s staff], for their peace of mind and those of their families that we have decided on this course of action.”

(Photo: Vladimir Simicek/AFP via Getty Images)

Other car makers have also begun to scale down or stop production at some facilities.

Seat has said its main production plant in Martorell, near Barcelona, will shut from Monday due to “production and logistics” problems linked to the outbreak. Renault and Nissan, which also have factories in northern Spain have both also announced temporary shutdowns linked to supply chain problems.

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And Volkswagen has said that it will suspend work at its Bratislava plant this week after the Slovakian government declared a state of emergency. The factory produces models for the whole VW group, including the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, Volkswagen Up, Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii.

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