Hyundai Motor's Alabama plant has been suspended due to new coronavirus infection. As a result, it is feared that the production will be disrupted, dealing a serious blow to its suppliers.
According to Hyundai Motor, its plant in Alabama was shut down on March 18 (local time) after one of its employees was tested positive for the COVID-19.
A Hyundai official said, "We will consult with the U.S. quarantine authorities to set a time for the resumption."
Although the company is resuming production soon after self-isolation and quarantine measures when confirmed cases occur at factories in Korea, it is not clear how long it will take for the resumption of production because the situation in the U.S. may be different.
With the suspension of the plant operations, partners such as Hyundai Glovis and Hyundai Steel and parts manufacturers that entered the area are also expected to suffer a blow.
"We are closely watching the closure of the plant in Alabama," said an official from a partner company. "Although production disruptions are problematic, we are more concerned about the global market's difficulties due to the decrease in demand stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak.”
Hyundai Motor's European plant is operating normally, but it is hard to see a day ahead. Foreign carmakers are stopping their U.S. and European plants one after another on concerns over the spread of the COVID-19.
