Truckers' strike hits auto industry, affects production

The ongoing nationwide strike by truckers has hit the automobile industry by affecting supplies of parts and distribution of vehicles, forcing companies like Tata Motors, Ford India and Skoda to adjust production.

According to industry sources, Tata Motors has undertaken block closures of its Pune and Sanand plants by advancing weekend holidays and compensating for it later on.

"Even retail has started getting impacted as dispatches of finished vehicles to dealers are affected," a source said.

When contacted Tata Motors spokesperson declined to comment citing silent period ahead of the company's upcoming first quarter result.

When contacted, Ford India President and MD Anurag Mehrotra said: "The transport strike is impacting both domestic movement of parts and vehicles. We expect it to soon impact exports too, with the container association joining the strike."
He further said, "Given its impact on not just business but livelihoods, we urge the government and the associations to resolve this issue at the earliest."