Daimler warned of risks for the economy and its own business from the outbreak of coronavirus that is spreading in China and around the world, Automotive News reports. “Risks for the Daimler Group may not only affect the development of unit sales but may also lead to significant adverse effects on production, the procurement market, and the supply chain,” the Stuttgart-based company said in its annual report. It also noted that the epidemic posed a risk for economic growth in China, other Asian countries and worldwide.
Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius said last week that Mercedes-Benz brand had restarted production at its factory in Beijing, adding it was still too early to gauge the impact of the coronavirus on Daimler’s business. Beijing Benz, a 50-50 partnership between Daimler and Beijing Automotive Industry Holding, builds the GLA, GLC, C-class and E class models, and the EQC full-electric SUV.