Automotive Manufacturers Idle Indiana Plants In Response To COVID-19

Several auto manufacturers announced Wednesday temporary shutdowns at facilities in response to the novel coronavirus.

In Indiana, those include General Motors, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Honda plants. The closures will last up to two weeks. Toyota also plans to idle production for two days.

Indiana University Kelley School of Business assistant professor Andrew Butters says some closures are in response to positive COVID-19 tests of employees at plants. 

“Whereas others have preemptively halted production in some plants because of well anticipated likely drops in demand for automobiles,” says Butters. “This in particular is going to have impacts for Indiana’s economy as a good proportion of these plants reside in the state of Indiana.”

READ MORE: Indiana Manufacturers Could See Supply Slowdown Due To Coronavirus Outbreak

Butters says the entire Midwest will feel the economic impact of manufacturers slowing down or halting production.

As of Wednesday afternoon, auto manufacturer Subaru of Indiana in Lafayette has not announced any plans to close its facility.

Contact Samantha at shorton@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @SamHorton5.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.