Car and Driver - USA (2020-05)

CONTAGION

An Industry

Infected

As we prepare this magazine to go to the

printer in mid-March, there is an enor-

mous amount of uncertainty surrounding

the global outbreak of COVID- 1 9, or the novel

coronavirus. And while we can’t tell you how

worried you should be, we can say for sure that

this public health emergency has already made

a major impact on the automotive industry and

its outlook for the rest of 202 0.

The outbreak began in China in December

201 9, and it didn’t take long to disrupt the indus-

try’s productivity. Aided by high rates of travel

The global nature of the automotive

business means international crises like

the COVID-19 pandemic can hit hard.

CAR AND DRIVER ~ MAY 2020 ~ ILLUSTRATION BY MARCOS CHIN 13