The first production casualty of this week’s rail strike in Germany is Audi’s Brussels plant. The early shift will not operate today (15 November) because of a shortage of parts.
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According to dpa-AFX, the strike resulted in two freight trains being massively delayed. An accident on a stretch of line in Belgium exacerbated the problem further. It was not clear whether things would return to normal at the plant later today.
The loss of the early shift meant that around 70 A3s and 150 VW Polos would not be built.
Audi has made contingency plans for the strike that involves switching component supply from to road. In addition sites have been rented around the Ingolstadt plant where new cars can be stored.
The train drivers union, GDL, is threatening further strikes next week if the state-owned railway does not come up with a better offer during their current wage dispute. Strikes next week could begin as early as Tuesday.
