Groupe PSA closes European plants

The sudden decline in the automotive markets, supplier disruptions and reports of Covid-19 cases close to some production sites has seen Groupe PSA shut down its entire manufacturing operations.

The company owns the Peugeot, Citroen, DS, Opel and Vauxhall brands.

The Groupe PSA executive board chairman and crisis unit team members decided on a staggered closure of the vehicle production sites until March 27.

The plants in Mulhouse (France) and Madrid (Spain) were shut down on March 16, followed by Poissy, Rennes, Sochaux (France), Zaragoza (Spain), Eisenach, Russelsheim (Germany) Ellesmere Port (UK) and Gwilice (Poland) on March 17.

The plants in Hordain (France), Vigo (Spain), and Mangualde (Portugal) closed March 18.

The plants in Luton (United Kingdom), and Trnava (Slovakia) will close on March 19.

Groupe PSA says going beyond the recommendations of the health authorities is the best protection to prevent the spread of the virus.