Indian carmakers Tata, Mahindra face parts supply disruption from China due to coronavirus outbreak

Indian carmakers Tata, Mahindra face parts supply disruption from China due to coronavirus outbreak

Carmakers are facing issues from multiple fronts due to the coronavirus outbreak. While it started in China, recent developments in Italy, Iran and South Korea are worrying, and even the US is on its toes now. This will naturally dampen the economy, and auto sales, but a more immediate problem facing carmakers is parts supply.

Globalisation means that the many parts needed to make a car come from everywhere in the world, and China as the “world’s factory” accounts for a big portion of that. Outside of China, Hyundai and Nissan have announced temporary factory shutdowns in their homeland due to the lack of parts, and UK-based Jaguar Land Rover has been affected too.

Now, Indian carmakers are reporting parts supply disruptions from China. According to Reuters, India’s Mahindra and Tata said their supply of parts from China had been hit.

“Going into March, we anticipate the challenge on parts supply to continue for another few weeks, before we get back to normalcy,” said Veejay Ram Nakra, Mahindra’s sales and marketing chief. Tata said in a press release that it also has been hit by supply disruptions due to the coronavirus outbreak in China, and is working to mitigate the situation.

Both Mahindra and Tata, along with market leader Maruti Suzuki, reported a decline in year-on-year February sales. Mahindra’s domestic sales are down 42%, Tata reported a 34% drop, and Maruti sales are down 1.6% compared to the second month of 2019.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Why made in India car is relying on China parts? Are their cars truly made in India?

    Meanwhile some so-called China local car here doesn’t have any parts disruption. Perhaps this so-called China car is more locally sourced compared to some so-called India national brands?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
    • “Outside of China, Hyundai and Nissan have announced temporary factory shutdowns in their homeland due to the lack of parts”

      Hyundai and Nissan are not India cars. But it’s interesting to know that Nissan relies on important parts from China… ;)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • EDITOR on Mar 02, 2020 at 7:17 pm

        “India’s Mahindra and Tata said their supply of parts from China had been hit.”
        You should read the whole article.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Ex VGM staff on Mar 02, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    Tata and Mahindra should take action now. Develop local automotive parts manufacturer and supply. This way you will reduce demand on import and provide job opportunities for the ppl.of.India. And this is good to generate local economy.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Fake News on Mar 02, 2020 at 5:17 pm

      Isn’t that what you adviced Malaysia NOT TO DO? So you’re going back on your words now?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
 

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