Volkswagen halts factories in China due to COVID lockdowns

By Tuba Sahin

ANKARA (AA) - German carmaker Volkswagen said on Monday that it suspended production at its facilities in China amid a lockdown in the country.

"Due to the COVID-19 cases in Changchun we have currently suspended production at our factories from today --Monday -- until Wednesday, for now," a company spokesperson in Beijing told Anadolu Agency.

As China's daily virus figures have surged to a two-year high, the country implemented lockdown measures on Sunday under the its policy of "zero-COVID."

Mainland China reported 1,437 new infections, including 100 imported cases, and 906 asymptomatic cases over the past day, according to latest data released on Monday.

Meanwhile, Chinese state-owned carmaker FAW Group has also suspended production of its five major vehicle plants until March 16 in the northeastern Jilin province due to rising virus cases.