We are seeing more and more Motorcycle Production Halts growing throughout manufacturers amidst the COVID-19 virus pandemic. The list of motorcycle manufacturers temporarily suspending their activities to help slow down the spread of the virus keeps growing. In Europe, almost all companies have either closed their facilities or reorganized their internal procedures to respect the authorities’ health and safety recommendations. From KTM to Ducati, the European motorcycle industry has almost come to a standstill. Similar measures are now being taken stateside as Harley-Davidson becomes the first American motorcycle giant to take action and announce that its U.S. production will be put on hold until the end of the month. AMERiders explains.
Harley Davidson Suspends Production!
Harley confirmed that it suspended most of its activities after one of its Menomonee Falls employees tested positive for the COVID-19, which prompted the shutdown of the Pilgrim Road facility on Wednesday afternoon. Activities at the Tomahawk, Wisconsin, and York, Pennsylvania, facilities have also been suspended. Since late January, Harley-Davidson, Inc. has been assessing the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and taking proactive measures in the interest of the health and safety of its employees, dealers, and consumers.
As things currently stand, the hiatus is expected to last through March 29, a decision that affects close to 2,000 employees. The manufacturer will take advantage of the downtime to gets its facilities’ production and public areas sanitized and disinfected.
Already on Monday, the company asked all Milwaukee HQ and product development center’s employees who can to work remotely, at least until the end of March. All the company-sponsored events scheduled through mid-April have also been canceled. As for the assembly lines workers affected by the production hiatus, local media reports that they will be placed on temporary layoff but will still have access to their medical coverage.
There is no confirmation yet of the impact the shutdown will have on the motorcycle industry nor whether the suspensions will have to be extended. We continue to monitor the situation and to report on any updates as manufacturers announce their plans to deal with the novel coronavirus outbreak. Stay tuned for more information.
Motorcycle Production Halts BMW Following In KTM’s Footsteps
The manufacturer announced on March 18 that all activities at its car manufacturing facilities across Europe and in South Africa would be suspended until April 19—including Mini and Rolls Royce plants. BMW’s Berlin Spandau motorcycle factory is included on the list of affected facilities. A total of 30,000 workers are impacted by the decision, 2,000 of which are assigned to the Berlin Spandau production line. Certain European dealers are also temporarily closing down due to a dramatic drop in sales.
“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,” CEO Oliver Zipse said in a statement on Wednesday.
The announcement comes only two days after the manufacturer announced that it was closing the BMW Welt, BMW Museum, and BMW Group Classic.
The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the motorcycle industry in ways both big and small. Pierer Mobility, the parent company of KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas, announced that it is proactively stopping production for a limited period of time at the end of the month.
The main KTM and Husqvarna facility is located in Mattighofen, Austria. The GasGas factory is located in Girona, Spain. According to the March 12, 2020, COVID-19 Situation Report from the World Health Organization, there were 2,140 confirmed cases in Spain and 302 confirmed cases in Austria. At this point, every effort to keep people at safe distance from one another is necessary according to international public health experts. Pierer Mobility’s facilities will remain closed from March 30 through April 10, 2020.
Moto Morini did not give an official date for resuming production at this time, which is completely reasonable given these extraordinary circumstances. We send our best to every employee of Moto Morini, KTM, Husqvarna, and GasGas during these difficult times, and hope that everyone keeps themselves and their communities as safe as we all can.
~And as always…
~Live Free Ride Hard~
~AMERiders
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