[ad_1]
SEAT has decided to close its Martorell, Barcelona plant for three days this week, citing the global semiconductor shortage
Car manufacturing giant Seat announced on Monday, September 6 that due to the global semiconductor supply shortage currently affecting the entire automotive industry, it has decided to close its Martorell plant in Barcelona. for three days this week – Monday 6, Tuesday 7, and Friday 10 September.
Company sources explained to Europe Press that internal flexibility measures have been agreed with union representatives for canceled shifts, while on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 September, the three lines of the plant will resume production normally.
Due to new outbreaks of Covid-19 in Asia, which has resulted in the closure of semiconductor manufacturing plants, the company said it was not ruling out further adjustments in auto production in Martorell, while adding that the demand for the seat and Cupra models is currently “at pre-Covid level”, and they are doing everything possible to maintain normal production.
Typically, Seat shuts down production for four weeks in August, but supply issues from the semiconductor crisis have led to the approval of Line 2 – which makes the Leon and Formentor models – to allow two daily shifts. that month, while line 1 was also working. exceptionally for a week at the end of August, although the company has already had to shut down its activity in Martorell due to the semiconductor shortage on June 25, 28 and 29, and July 19 and 20.
At a press conference in Paris on Monday, Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the domestic market, explained that steps are being taken in the European Union to deal with the shortage of semiconductors for various industries such as automotive, but that this will take time to resolve and could last up to eighteen months, stressing that “it is the companies which must invest”.
Breton pointed out that only around ten percent of the world’s semiconductors are made in the EU, and that products that cause supply problems are generally products with relatively simple technology, but that will mean a perceived ten percent drop in car sales this year.
He pointed out that moving forward with increased hydrogen sales and electric vehicles and new technological developments, many increasingly complex semiconductors will be required, for which, he noted, Under the auspices of the European Commission, an alliance has been formed which brings together all the key players in the sector, such as manufacturers and research institutes.
With this alliance the objectives will be defined, for example in terms of new production centers in the European Union, and “there will be public money”, he said, adding that “significant investments” are expected in the coming semesters in community lands, as reported by 20minutes.es.
___________________________________________________________
Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to check out The Euro Weekly News for all your up-to-date local and international news.
[ad_2]
