Gas Cuts Force Slovak, Hungarian Plants to Halt Production

VIENNA – Two Slovak car factories halted production today as a result of restrictions on industrial users of gas imposed by the Slovak government, following the cutoff in supply due to a dispute between Russia and Ukraine.

Kia Motors Slovakia s.r.o. already decided yesterday to stop the line at its plant in Teplicka nad Vahom near Zlina on Thursday and Friday.

Peugeot Citroen Automobile Slovakia s.r.o. first skipped the morning shift today at its plant in Trnava and decided later to shut down the operation for all of Thursday and Friday.

Volkswagen Slovakia a.s. currently is not affected by the problem, because it already scheduled an extended shutdown for the holidays.

In neighboring Hungary, Magyar Suzuki Zrt. halted production in Esztergom on Wednesday after the government imposed gas restrictions.

All three auto makers expect to restart production Monday if gas supplies are renewed.