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BMW continues production ‘as of today’

Ross Norton //March 19, 2020//

BMW continues production ‘as of today’

Ross Norton //March 19, 2020//

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The production line at BMW Manufacturing continues to operate “as of today,” according to a company spokesman who said the German automaker is monitoring local conditions regarding the spread of COVID-19, the new coronavirus.

“As of today Plant Spartanburg remains operational,” Phil DiIanni, corporate communications manager for BMW North America, said in an email today. “Decisions on whether to close specific plants and when are made individually, and dependent primarily on the regional operating environment. In the case of Plant Spartanburg, we continue to monitor the situation daily and are in close alignment with both state and local government officials.”

About 11,000 people work at the Greer plant, which in 2019 celebrated its 25th year in production.

“We recognize that we are in a dynamic situation and we are prepared to adjust quickly based on the daily analysis of the current environment,” DiIanni said in the email. “In parallel, we have implemented numerous measures to protect the health and safety of our employees.”

In Munich on Wednesday, through its online newsroom, BMW officials said the company will work to keep business going while supporting international and local efforts to curtail the pandemic.

The chairman of the BMW AG board of management, Oliver Zipse, said, “Solidarity and responsible action are called for. In our society it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak. The BMW Group therefore fully supports the measures aimed at containing the spread of coronavirus.”

He said the company is adjusting production volumes worldwide but remains bullish on the future, investing more than 30 billion euros in research and development

“We take our responsibility seriously, both when it comes to ensuring the protection and health of our employees and to achieving the best possible balance in terms of profitability,” Zipse said. “One thing is certain: coronavirus is here now, but there will also be a time after coronavirus. The approach we are taking clearly reflects the BMW Group’s ability to react quickly and flexibly.”

Other U.S. automobile production plants are pausing or temporarily halting production, according to Automotive News.  

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