Quite how we’re going to be riding once lockdown begins easing we can but guess. But Yamaha Motor Europe have today made a confident announcement that final product manufacturing will resume at their Motori Minarelli engine factory in Calderara di Reno, Italy and the MBK Industrie assembly plant in Saint Quentin, France on May 4.
Yamaha Europe has reported:
Production at both facilities was suspended on March 16 to ensure the safety of the workforce, prior to the mandatory lockdown eventually imposed in both countries to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The situation has been monitored closely in the intervening period, with the factory closures assessed on a weekly basis.
Resumption of production has been a two-phase process, with phase one taking place in April. In strict accordance with the restrictions in each country, this initial phase saw a return to work only by those allowed to do so and able to practice social distancing in their role, together with a program to introduce Covid-19 safety measures within the main working environments and to prepare the factory for full re-opening and the recommencement of priority operations.
Phase two will commence on May 4 with a progressive return to final product manufacturing operations at both facilities, where working practices will be adapted to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the workforce, which remains the priority for Yamaha Motor Europe.
Eric de Seynes, Yamaha Motor Europe President and CEO:
“The reopening of both motorcycle, scooters and engines production plants we have in Europe is a positive news within a very complicated period we are experiencing. It has been possible thanks to the cooperation with all parties involved, which I sincerely want to thank, and will happen securing all the safety standard for our employees. It also represents a key milestone to support with new products our dealer network which during the coming weeks will restart operations in all the countries involved in the lockdown as Italy (May 4 ), France and Spain (May 11).”
