One car manufacturer after another closed the gates of its production facilities in April to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. More and more factories are now being put back into use. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association provides insight into the number of ‘car factories’ in Europe.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), there are currently 142 factories in Europe producing passenger cars. That is not all. ACEA data also shows that there are 38 production sites where commercial vehicles are built. In addition, there are 58 factories in Europe where so-called ‘heavy duty vehicles’, such as trucks and shovels, are put together. Buses are also manufactured at 58 production locations and there are no fewer than 71 factories where engines are manufactured.
In mid-March, one after the other car manufacturer closed the gates of its European factories. Production damage amounts to more than 2.3 million unbuilt vehicles, according to ACEA.
Cars are also produced in various places in the Netherlands. For example, Donkervoort is located in Lelystad and Spyker is at least still registered in Zeewolde on paper. Tesla also has an assembly hall in Tilburg. The VDL Nedcar factory in Born, where BMW and Mini models are produced, is undoubtedly the best-known car factory in our country.
VDL Group has factories in Heerenveen, Venlo and Valkenswaard where it produces buses. Zwolle has a facility where Volkswagen AG Scania builds trucks. There is a Ginaf production facility in Veenendaal and complete DAF trucks as well as power sources are produced in Eindhoven.