• TIPTOEING: German automakers Volkswagen and Audi have begun tiptoeing towards a reopening of their plants in the central state of Puebla where the state government has been against allowing them to restart production due to the coronavirus pandemic. Most auto plants in Mexico have resumed activities.
• REDUCED: “Starting (operations) in a complete way with production in the automotive industry in the State (of Puebla) would be an irresponsible action. Therefore, we will continue to work in a reduced way”, Volkswagen said. Meanwhile, Audi began operations at 30% on Monday.
• GOVERNOR: Last Friday, Puebla State Governor Miguel Barbosa signed a decree mandating that Volkswagen and Audi plants do not restart activities despite a federal government’s directive allowing it. Yesterday, Governor Barbosa thanked the automakers but remained unconvinced.
• CONFUSION: “The (Volkswagen) plant issued a confusing statement from which I understood that…it would be a two-week process to reach 100% of activities, regardless of the conditions of the pandemic”, said Governor Barbosa, warning that he is not on board with total reactivation.
