'European Carmakers Worry Coronavirus Outbreak May Hurt Sales' diff viewer (12/13)

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European Carmakers Worry Coronavirus Outbreak May Hurt Sales	European Carmakers Worry Coronavirus Outbreak May Hurt Sales
2020-06-17 01:29:03 UTC	2020-06-17 14:44:41 UTC (about 13 hours later)
FRANKFURT — European auto manufacturers have so far defied expectations that supply chain chaos would bring their assembly lines to a standstill.	FRANKFURT — European auto manufacturers have so far defied expectations that supply chain chaos would bring their assembly lines to a standstill.
Even after northern Italy, an important node in the global parts network, went into lockdown on Sunday, carmakers like BMW, Daimler, Fiat, Peugeot and Volkswagen said on Monday that production was normal.	Even after northern Italy, an important node in the global parts network, went into lockdown on Sunday, carmakers like BMW, Daimler, Fiat, Peugeot and Volkswagen said on Monday that production was normal.
How long that can continue is an open question as the coronavirus disrupts daily life and economic activity in new and unpredictable ways. Carmakers are watching events with palpable anxiety.	How long that can continue is an open question as the coronavirus disrupts daily life and economic activity in new and unpredictable ways. Carmakers are watching events with palpable anxiety.
But it appears for now that the automakers’ biggest problem is not whether they can build cars but whether they can sell them.	But it appears for now that the automakers’ biggest problem is not whether they can build cars but whether they can sell them.
The initial outbreak caused sales to collapse in China, the world’s biggest car market. Porsche, for example, was forced to close all of its Chinese dealerships in February. Most automakers had to shut down Chinese factories at least temporarily.	The initial outbreak caused sales to collapse in China, the world’s biggest car market. Porsche, for example, was forced to close all of its Chinese dealerships in February. Most automakers had to shut down Chinese factories at least temporarily.
The spread of the virus to Europe and the United States virtually ensures that the eurozone will slip into recession and that a global decline in car sales will be worse than expected. Auto sales closely track economic growth.	The spread of the virus to Europe and the United States virtually ensures that the eurozone will slip into recession and that a global decline in car sales will be worse than expected. Auto sales closely track economic growth.
“When G.D.P. goes down, the carmakers have a big problem because people need their money for other things,” said Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, a longtime industry observer. “The big problem is demand, not production.”	“When G.D.P. goes down, the carmakers have a big problem because people need their money for other things,” said Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, a longtime industry observer. “The big problem is demand, not production.”
Automakers have learned from past episodes of supply chain disruption. In 2010, for example, the eruption of a volcano in Iceland spewed fine particles into the atmosphere and brought air travel and airfreight over Europe to a halt. Most companies now have at least two suppliers of any component as insurance against strikes or natural disasters.	Automakers have learned from past episodes of supply chain disruption. In 2010, for example, the eruption of a volcano in Iceland spewed fine particles into the atmosphere and brought air travel and airfreight over Europe to a halt. Most companies now have at least two suppliers of any component as insurance against strikes or natural disasters.
“From every one of those crises you learn something,” Herbert Diess, the chief executive of Volkswagen, said in an interview last week. “You double up supply chains, you reroute.”	“From every one of those crises you learn something,” Herbert Diess, the chief executive of Volkswagen, said in an interview last week. “You double up supply chains, you reroute.”
As the coronavirus has morphed into a global epidemic, carmakers have been forced to scramble for parts and raw materials. But they say have been able to cope, sometimes by paying extra to ship components by air that would normally travel by land or sea.	As the coronavirus has morphed into a global epidemic, carmakers have been forced to scramble for parts and raw materials. But they say have been able to cope, sometimes by paying extra to ship components by air that would normally travel by land or sea.
“It’s a big challenge,” Oliver Blume, the chief executive of Porsche, said in a telephone interview. “We have a team that is monitoring the situation every day.”	“It’s a big challenge,” Oliver Blume, the chief executive of Porsche, said in a telephone interview. “We have a team that is monitoring the situation every day.”
“We have suppliers in Italy,” Mr. Blume said before the Italian lockdown. “We have to watch very closely in the next few days what will happen.”	“We have suppliers in Italy,” Mr. Blume said before the Italian lockdown. “We have to watch very closely in the next few days what will happen.”
On Monday, Porsche said the virus outbreak in Italy had not yet hurt production. Volkswagen, which owns Porsche as well as Audi and other brands, said it had also been continued operating without problems. Italian suppliers were still able to send shipments to Germany, a Volkswagen spokesman said.	On Monday, Porsche said the virus outbreak in Italy had not yet hurt production. Volkswagen, which owns Porsche as well as Audi and other brands, said it had also been continued operating without problems. Italian suppliers were still able to send shipments to Germany, a Volkswagen spokesman said.
Italian companies said they, too, were still in business. The tire maker Pirelli said its Italian factories were still operating and noted that, in any case, they accounted for less than 8 percent of the company’s tire production.	Italian companies said they, too, were still in business. The tire maker Pirelli said its Italian factories were still operating and noted that, in any case, they accounted for less than 8 percent of the company’s tire production.
“There are no impacts on production activities,” Pirelli said in a statement.	“There are no impacts on production activities,” Pirelli said in a statement.
Brembo, an Italian maker of high-performance brakes, said its three factories in northern Italy were still operating.	Brembo, an Italian maker of high-performance brakes, said its three factories in northern Italy were still operating.
Fiat Chrysler’s Italian factories were operating normally on Monday, a spokesman said, although office workers were given the option of working from home. Fiat has reopened a factory in Serbia that closed temporarily last month because of missing parts from China.	Fiat Chrysler’s Italian factories were operating normally on Monday, a spokesman said, although office workers were given the option of working from home. Fiat has reopened a factory in Serbia that closed temporarily last month because of missing parts from China.
Jaguar Land Rover, which produces luxury cars in Britain, said it had a two-week supply of most parts. But the company added in a statement that it “cannot rule out the risk that a shortage of a critical component could impact production at some point.”	Jaguar Land Rover, which produces luxury cars in Britain, said it had a two-week supply of most parts. But the company added in a statement that it “cannot rule out the risk that a shortage of a critical component could impact production at some point.”
Auto industry supply chains are devilishly complicated. Some components cross borders several times as they are stamped, machined and otherwise refined on the way to the final assembly line. That makes the supply networks vulnerable. But having a widely dispersed supply network may also be an advantage.	Auto industry supply chains are devilishly complicated. Some components cross borders several times as they are stamped, machined and otherwise refined on the way to the final assembly line. That makes the supply networks vulnerable. But having a widely dispersed supply network may also be an advantage.
Updated June 16, 2020	Updated June 16, 2020
	The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth.
The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.	The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.	So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.	Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.	A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.	The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.	Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.	States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.	Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)	If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.	Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.	The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.	If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.	If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
As Italy is going offline, China is getting back into gear as the number of new coronavirus cases declines. Porsche has reopened most of its dealerships in China, Mr. Blume said.	As Italy is going offline, China is getting back into gear as the number of new coronavirus cases declines. Porsche has reopened most of its dealerships in China, Mr. Blume said.
Some political leaders have pointed to the coronavirus as a lesson in the perils of globalization, and urged companies to produce more close to home. But Mr. Diess, the Volkswagen chief executive, said he did not think the crisis would prompt automakers to become less global.	Some political leaders have pointed to the coronavirus as a lesson in the perils of globalization, and urged companies to produce more close to home. But Mr. Diess, the Volkswagen chief executive, said he did not think the crisis would prompt automakers to become less global.
“The idea of producing a car within an economy like Germany alone is just impossible,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense.”	“The idea of producing a car within an economy like Germany alone is just impossible,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
The bigger problem is how carmakers can navigate their already battered industry through a downturn that is looking nastier by the day.	The bigger problem is how carmakers can navigate their already battered industry through a downturn that is looking nastier by the day.