Honda extends North American auto plant shutdowns as coronavirus spreads

Honda Motor stated Thursday it will extend halt of all U.S. and Canadian auto plant production through April 10 and at its plant located in Celaya, central Mexico, until April 13, because of the coronavirus outbreak.

The automaker’s plant in El Salto in the western Mexican state of Jalisco, will also suspend production operations between April 4 and April 13, Honda’s Mexican unit stated.

Increasing number of automakers have stated they will not resume U.S. production until at least mid-April as demand sharply drops off for auto sales. Honda started its auto production halt on March 23.

About 305,341 people in the US have been confirmed as being infected with the coronavirus. The virus has killed 8,283 people in the country.