Luxury Cars
Coronavirus Shutdowns: Lamborghini, Ferrari and Rolex Factory Closures
Anyone waiting on a Lamborghini, Ferrari or a Rolex will have to wait just that little longer courtesy of the widespread effects of coronavirus as factories are temporarily shut down.
In response to governmental coronavirus policies issued by their home countries, large luxury manufacturers like Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti, Bentley and Rolex have announced a temporary halt in production until the end of the month to ensure the safety of staff (and in some cases manage supply chain issues caused as a by-product of the shut downs).
Lamborghini announced the closure of its factory in Sant’Agata Bolognese Italy effective March 13 until March 25 2020.
Commenting on the closure, Stefano Domenicali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automobili Lamborghini said, “This measure is an act of social responsibility and high sensibility towards our people, in the extraordinary situation in which we find ourselves right now in Italy and which is also evolving abroad due to the worldwide spread of Coronavirus. As we have done up until now, we continue to monitor the situation in order to react rapidly and with the right flexibility, in collaboration with our people and in order to restart with energy in the right moment.”
Likewise, Ferrari will be halting all production at its Maranello and Modena factories until March 27 with Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri announcing in a press release on Saturday, “At a time like this, my gratitude goes first and foremost to Ferrari’s women and men who, with their tremendous commitment over the past few days, have demonstrated the passion and dedication that defines our marque. Together with our suppliers, they have ensured the company’s production. And it is out of our respect for them, for their peace of mind and those of their families that we have decided on this course of action.”
Ferrari’s course of action is in support of governmental directives but is also directly influenced by the “serious supply chain issues which no longer allow for continued production”.
Over at Pagani Automobili, production has been suspended for the next week and the museum and factory tours at their Italian headquarters have also been suspended until April 3 2020
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have announced they will be continuing on at their Goodwood based manufacturing site until Monday 23 March after which they will take two weeks break which will be followed by an already planned two week Easter maintenance shutdown.
Also noted is that “the day-to-day operations of the company will be assured by non-production employees who will remain at work at the company’s head office on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex or who will work from home on a rotational basis. Social distancing measures have been introduced throughout the company.”
Bugatti has suspending production of its hyper sports cars in Molsheim from March 20th, 2020. The various necessary regulations implemented by European governments to combat the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible, amongst other things, to maintain the supply chain of production and spare parts. In addition, it is almost impossible to deliver vehicles completed in the Atelier to their owners due to the travel restrictions. Bugatti supports the regulations that have been implemented by European governments as well as the recommendations of health experts and will intensify the measures already taken.
Bentley Motors will suspend production from March 20th, 2020 at its Crewe, UK, factory headquarters for four weeks.
“This decision is based on the accelerated rate of infection by coronavirus and understandable restrictions applied, the resulting interruptions in supply chain that will soon be seen, as well as declining demand on some automotive markets. But most importantly the decision is to protect the health of Bentley’s many colleagues, their families and communities.” Bentley Motors
Meanwhile in Geneva, Swiss watchmaker Rolex can’t seem to catch a break, first with the cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month (of which they are the naming rights sponsor) and now Rolex Chief Executive Jean-Frédéric Dufour announcing the closing of operations in Geneva, Bienne and Crissier until March 27 2020.
Hublot have also officially announced they will be temporarily closing the production site until further notice stating “Due to the global spread of COVID-19, as a precautionary measure, and in order to protect the health and well-being of our staff and their families, we have decided to temporarily close our Manufacture’s production site until further notice.
We are confident in our ability to collectively rise to meet new challenges and will overcome this crisis, together.”
Watchmaker Patek Philippe has chosen to pause there monthly episodes posted to social media for March and will also be closing its headquarters and production sites until March 27.