Volkswagen South Africa shut down its Uitenhage plant on Wednesday because of a strike by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) in the component industry.
“Volkswagen of SA was regrettably forced to close its Uitenhage-based production plant indefinitely after the morning shift today,” the company said in a statement.
There was no strike at the plant itself, but the strike by people in the components industry would result in a substantial loss of volume of their Polo vehicles destined for worldwide right-hand drive markets.
Volumes of Polo and Polo Vivo models destined for the local market would also be affected.
Employees were advised that, as soon as the supply of components was resumed, they would be told and asked to return to work.
The company regretted the situation, which came after an eight-day strike in the motor manufacturing industry and which had a severe impact on customer deliveries. — Additional reporting by Sapa