In Poland, key automotive industry has been hit most by crisis

Poland has a traditionally developed automotive sector, which normally is a driving force for the country’s industry and exports. This spring, however, passenger car production has dropped by 99% on an annual basis in Poland, according to the Polish Central Statistical Office, DW reports.

For the most part of April, passenger car production was on hold after the suspension of factories at Fiat Chrysler, Opel (Peugeot-Citroen) and Volkswagen, all of which suspended production in the second half of March. In March, only 20,100 cars were produced, 52% less than a year earlier.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced in a report that the Polish economy would fall by 3.5% in 2020 and grow 4.0% in 2021.

The carmaking in Poland makes up a large part of the economy, accounting for about 11% of industrial production and about 4% of the nation’s gross domestic product. The sector employs around 130,000 people and has an output of 800,000-900,000 light vehicles per year, DW reports.