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The automotive group Stellantis, based in the Netherlands and formed from the merger in equal parts of the Italian-American Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French Groupe PSA, announced a suspension of production in two of its plants located in Europe due to the effects of the shortage of semiconductors. The crisis, which began to increase after the pandemic, has influenced the drop in automotive sales in 2022.
The situation, which is defined as a technical strike, occurs after the return of the workers for the summer holidays. In Doubs, where the plant is located and where the Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs are manufactured, they expect this closure to last until August 27.
Months ago, a shortage of semiconductors affected one of the main suppliers of the Peugeot factory in eastern France.
Representatives of the main unions that make life in the company have expressed to French media, as in the case of the radio station ‘France Bleu’, that they fear that this type of measure will be presented in other plants of the organization.
“These ads are distilled dribbling by management. This way of doing things annoys all employees affected by the prospect of losing money and not being able to plan anything, especially for childcare,” said Eric Peultier, union representative of Stellantis and a member of the departmental union office.
Meanwhile, in Spain, the Trade Union Confederation of Workers’ Commissions reported that the Opel brand manufacturing plant, located in Zaragoza -in the north of the country-, suspended production for five days due to lack of supplies.
This situation occurs after the authorities called for three extra shifts on August 19 in order to boost production after several months of delays due to the semiconductor crisis.
The problems in the delivery of semiconductors are related to the Covid-19 pandemic because, on the one hand, many companies were forced to close to avoid further outbreaks while another important group decided to change the production line.
Due to a shortage of semiconductors, US car sales plunged more than 21% during the second quarter of this year. As for Europe, sales fell 14% during the first half of the year when sales reached 4.6 million vehicles.
With Reuters and local media
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