Two OEMs around the South restarted production at least in part on Monday, though with new precautions and safety measures spread far and wide.
Mercedes-Benz US International restarted its plant in Vance, Alabama, according to local press reports. Mercedes is among the more tight-lipped OEMs, and the state’s largest news outlets reported the development with no additional commentary from the company.
A news outlet in South Carolina said the Mercedes plant near Charleston, which produces Sprinter and Metris vans, has apparently not reopened. Neither website, for Charleston nor Vance, had any Covid-19 updates.
Mercedes began its temporary shutdown in Alabama on March 23.
Hyundai’s Montgomery plant on Monday brought back about 50 percent of its production team, 1,000 or so workers, to restart its first shift from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama spokesman Robert Burns said fuller production should resume May 4.
Other Southern OEMs, including Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Volkswagen, are aiming for restarts in early to mid-May.
New industry guidelines encourage plants to issue masks and gloves, space out work stations as much as possible and ramp up cleaning schedules.
Alabama
Hyundai Montgomery, April 27
Honda Lincoln, May 11
Toyota Huntsville, May 4
Mercedes-Benz Vance, April 27
Georgia
Kia West Point, May 4
Kentucky
Toyota Georgetown, May 4
Ford Truck Louisville, No date
Ford Louisville, No date
GM Bowling Green, No date
Mississippi
Toyota Blue Springs, May 4
Nissan Canton, mid-May
South Carolina
BMW Spartanburg, May 4
Mercedes-Benz Charleston, TBA
Volvo Ridgeville, May 11
Tennessee
Nissan Smyrna, mid-May
Nissan Decherd, mid-May
VW Chattanooga, May 3
GM Spring Hill, No date
Texas
Toyota San Antonio, May 4
GM Arlington, No date
