Automotive Córdoba: what measures did they take to produce in the health crisis

As industries, the three main automotive production plants in Córdoba are part of the business sector that cannot fully apply the “work from home” system among its staff.

In this framework, the productive area of ​​the three complexes continues working until now with the rhythm that it brought before the health crisis caused by the Covid-19. Before the global outbreak of the pandemic, the sector was excited to begin to recover, at least partially, part of the collapse of 2019.

Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA) and Renault forecasts were to manufacture, on average, 44 percent more cars than the previous year.

Volkswagen, with a very different situation, expected to keep pace with three shifts at its local gearbox and components manufacturing plant (all are exported).

It remains to be seen what impact the pandemic will have on these plans. For now, they are striving to keep up with extreme health care and compliance with official recommendations.

Fiat Chrysler Automobile

The complex that employs 2,050 people arranged working from home to all the personnel in a position to do so. It does NOT carry out face-to-face meetings of more than five people, it suspended all types of travel for its personnel and, from an integrated committee to monitor the crisis, it follows the situation permanently.

In the industrial area, which works four or three days a week, the distance at which operators are located on the production lines increased and rigorous personal hygiene and space protocols were applied.

“There are no workers over 60 years”, responded from the firm when asked about the official measure that provides that this age group does not go to the workplace. “The staff in that risk group are in other areas and, of course, they already work from home.”

Renault Argentina

In the Santa Isabel neighborhood complex, which employs 2,200 people, the rate of production did not decrease either from Monday to Friday in a shift that had been taking place.

Teleworking was arranged for non-industrial employees, visits to the plant were suspended, and a 24-hour internal hotline was activated for staff to report situations related to the health crisis.

In the facilities, extreme measures of cleanliness and precautions for the staff were taken: availability of alcohol in gel and other elements.

So far, it follows the rate of production of 226 cars per day.

Volkswagen

In the complex there was no effect on the production rhythm: the operators work from Monday to Friday in three shifts.

The sector of the 1,400 non-industrial employees works remotely in all possible cases and meetings were minimized.

Throughout the complex, sanitary measures were taken and provision was made for gel alcohol and other elements.