GM’s Shanghai Plant Keeps Producing As Workers Sleep On Factory Floor

It has been two years since the coronavirus pandemic shocked the world as governments and businesses raced to control the spread of the virus. Automakers sent workers home, halted vehicle production, and closed factories, causing countless headaches that continue to affect them today. The virus continues to spread in regions around the world, but the automaker doesn’t want to stop production this time.

At the General Motors joint venture in Shanghai, Reuters reported that workers slept on the factory floor in an effort to keep operations running normally. The publication learned of the arrangement from “two people familiar with the matter.” GM told the publication that the plant was operating normally; however, it will not comment on worker settings. The business did get permission to continue shipping to the factory. GM builds Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac models at the factory.

Rising infections in China have forced local governments to take action to slow the spread of the virus. That means companies returning to remote work, closing factories, or “closed-loop” management processes that set workers apart from the rest of the general population. Foxconn, an Apple supplier, used a similar method to keep operations running earlier this month.

China implemented a similar closed-loop system for the Beijing Winter Olympics. However, not all companies affected by the lockdown are able to keep production running. Aptiv, a supplier to a joint venture between Tesla and GM Shanghai, has halted production due to the government’s coronavirus mandate. Tesla also had to suspend production, although the lockdown has not affected VW Group’s operations in the region.

It’s been two years since the pandemic began, and it continues to affect automakers. Supply chain problems have swelled, with shortages of semiconductors forcing automakers to ship cars with fewer features or stockpile them until needed parts arrive. The spread of the virus will continue to inject more instability into manufacturing processes, but automakers are trying to prevent it from further damage to an already curtailed production pipeline. Automakers will continue to face future shortages wherever their workers sleep.