The car manufacturer Opel will close its plant in Eisenach (Thuringia) by the end of the year due to the global shortage of chips. A company spokesman confirmed that production will be suspended from next week. Production should restart at the beginning of 2022, provided that the supply chains allow this. Short-time working is planned for employees.
“The global automotive industry is in an exceptional situation due to the ongoing pandemic and a global shortage of semiconductors. In this demanding and uncertain situation, Stellantis is planning to make adjustments to production, ”said a spokesman for the manufacturer belonging to the European conglomerate Stellantis, explaining the move on Thursday.
1300 employees affected
Opel produces the all-terrain vehicle Grandland in the combustion engine and hybrid version in Eisenach. The plant in Thuringia was extensively rebuilt only two years ago in order to switch from Corsa and Adam to Grandland. The company in Thuringia employs around 1300 people.