French automaker Renault prepares to cut about 400 out of some 3,200 jobs at its Slovenian unit Revoz following the coronavirus crisis as they hit demand for its products, Revoz said on Tuesday.
Revoz produces models such as Clio, Twingo and electric Smart Forfour models. Its biggest markets consists of France, Germany and Italy.
“Due to uncertain conditions on the global auto market, which are a consequence of the Covid-19 epidemic … and information on a fall of global orders … Revoz will continue its production in two shifts,” it stated in a statement in response to a Reuters query.
“In cooperation with agencies and the Slovenian Employment Service Revoz will organize consulting meetings for all employees who will stop working in the company (a bit more than 400 persons according to present estimates),” it stated.
Last month the company had stated it expected to resume its third daily shift this month.
Revoz postponed production in the middle of March for six weeks because of the coronavirus epidemic. Slovenia has so far reported 1,467 coronavirus cases, of which 1,338 have shown recovery and 104 died.
The country last week became the first European state to put an end to its coronavirus epidemic however the citizens are still required to wear face masks in indoor public spaces, disinfect hands upon entering such spaces and keep a distance of no less than 1.5 metres from each other.
The government expects GDP to decline by at least 8% this year because of the epidemic and its consequences. Last year the export-oriented economy increased by 2.4%.
