As the UK Government has begun broadcasting daily updates regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which is causing chaos across the world, so Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has announced that it will be shutting down production at its Goodwood manufacturing plant from March 23rd. The shutdown is planned for two weeks, and will lead into the already planned 2-week shutdown for Easter that follows.
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This action has not been taken lightly, but the health and well-being of our exceptional workforce is first and foremost in our minds. We are a tight-knit community at the Home of Rolls-Royce and I have no doubt that our resilience will shine through during this extraordinary time.”
“As a deeply customer-focused company we are aware that this decision to pause our production will possibly cause some discomfort or inconvenience to a few of our esteemed patrons, for which we apologise while seeking their understanding at this difficult time.”
The company will continue to operate in non-production areas thanks to staff at the head office working on a rota basis, and from home, while a social distancing process has been put in place.
Rolls-Royce is not alone in responding in this manner to the crisis. Ferrari and Lamborghini have both suspended operations at their sites in Italy, the country that is suffering worst of all from the virus, while the first half of the planned Formula One season has been put on hold, as have most other motor sport events across the world.
Supercartribe will be keeping an eye on the automotive world and how it is effected by this unprecedented situation.
