VW’s Skoda to produce 250,000 fewer cars

Volkswagen AG’s Skoda unit will produce 250,000 fewer cars than planned this year due to the global chip shortage, Automobilwoche magazine reported, more than double the number that the company estimated last month. Most working shifts were cancelled until the end of the year as Skoda still holds a large number of unfinished cars in stock and will focus on completing those first, the magazine said, citing the head of the company’s workers council.

The chip shortage might last until the second half of 2022 before stabilising again as the latest rise in Covid cases in Asia pressures production, Automobilwoche cited company officials as saying. Skoda Chief Executive Officer Thomas Schaefer said in September that he expects the company to produce 100,000 fewer cars than planned.