Audi will halt production for weeks on Ukraine parts shortages

Production stoppages will lengthen delivery times for models including the Q7 and Q8 SUVs. 

BERLIN – Parts shortages caused by Russian invasion of Ukraine are hitting Audi hard, leading to weeks of production downtime.

"In some cases, we have had to and will stop production at some locations for days or weeks," Audi wrote in a letter to its dealers that has been seen by Automotive News Europe sister publication Automobilwoche. 

The letter said the Q4 e-tron, A4/A5, A6/A7, TT and Q7/Q8 model series are particularly affected. The automaker told its dealers to prepare for "significantly longer delivery times" for these models. 

In an email to Automotive News Europe, an Audi spokesperson confirmed that there are currently production stoppages at several Audi locations, although other lines are producing according to planned schedules.

For the TT, Q8 and Q4 e-tron models, production restarts are planned for mid-April, but only at a reduced level. 

Things are looking better for other models: The A1, A3, Q2 e-tron, Q5 and A8 models are only affected to a minor extent, Audi said. However, not all engine variants are available.

Audi expects to resume production for the A4/A5 at its factory in Neckarsulm, Germany, starting March 30, and the A6/A7 model series starting April 4. 

At Boellinger Hoefe, production of the e-tron GT and R8 will resume regular production on two shifts starting from March 28. 

At the Ingolstadt site, production of the A4 and A5 will resume on a single shift starting April 4, and on a double shift the following week. The line that produces the A3, A4 and A5 will restart the week of April 4 on a single shift and move to a double shift the following week.

Like many other automakers, Audi has suppliers in Ukraine. At some suppliers, production has collapsed completely due to the war, while at other companies it has been severely restricted.

In particular, the supply situation with customer-specific cable harnesses poses a major challenge, Audi said.

Audi said it works with more 14,000 suppliers from whom the company sources cable harnesses or preliminary products for them, among other things. 

The war in Ukraine has thrown the European auto industry into fresh tumult as the conflict continues without any clear resolution.

It has caused disruptions at multiple car plants and prompted companies to suspend shipments to Russia.

Leoni is ramping up production of wire harnesses at its two plants in Ukraine -- with workers operating under a nighttime curfew and the risk of rocket attacks. 

https://europe.autonews.com/automakers/audi-will-halt-production-weeks-ukraine-parts-shortages