Audi and Daimler to restart production

Daimler has announced it plans to resume car-building at its German plants as early as April 20 in response to renewed demand for its cars in China.

The move to restart manufacturing following the enforced coronavirus shutdowns has been echoed by Audi, which has also stated that April 20 is a realistic date to return to manufacturing at its plants in Germany and Belgium.

Still reeling from the devastating effects from the global pandemic, the move by both Audi and Mercedes-Benz's parent follows a similar announcement from Ferrari that says car-making will resume in Modena following the introduction of new safety measures.

Ferrari says it will offer free blood tests to factory workers wanting to know if they had been exposed to the potentially fatal virus, before going back to work.

General Motors, meanwhile, is set to adopt measures already taken by retail giant Amazon, which has implemented employee temperature screening to catch those suffering with fevers before they enter the workplace.

Daily health questionnaires and redesigned production lines that allow for social distancing are also being considered, as well as the introduction of widespread use of medical-grade gloves and masks.

With many commentators already declaring the COVID-19 outbreak as more damaging than the financial crisis of 2008-2009, few car-makers can afford to miss out on the early green shoots of recovery in markets like China.

Initially, Mercedes says it will initiate a staggered ramp-up of manufacturing, including restarting its operations at its engine and EV battery-making facilities first on a one-shift operation.

Full-scale production isn't expected to start until April 27 – mirroring the same date Audi plans to have production restarted at all of its German plants.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Honda and Toyota, meanwhile, are all targeting a return to car-building in the first week of May.