Ford, Fiat Chrysler Restrict Employee Air Travel Due To Virus

By Mike Colias

Two major car companies--Ford Motor Co. and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV--have restricted domestic and global air travel for workers to limit exposure to the novel coronavirus.

Ford on Tuesday said it is placing restrictions on air travel for employees--both those traveling within the U.S. and abroad--and disclosed that two of its workers in China have been infected.

A Ford spokesman said the infected employees were quarantined and are recovering. He said the travel restrictions will remain in effect until March 27.

Fiat Chrysler, starting last week, banned all non-essential air travel for employees as the virus outbreak spread in Italy, one of the company's major manufacturing hubs. Combined, the two auto makers employ nearly 400,000 workers globally.

Vehicle sales in China have plunged as the coronavirus outbreak has forced factory closures and kept consumers out of dealerships. Many auto plants have reopened but are operating only partially. Some parts suppliers have warned car companies that component shortages could crimp production in North America.

Write to Mike Colias at mike.colias@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 03, 2020 17:05 ET (22:05 GMT)

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