Russian Truck Maker Kamaz Suspends Production
A Kamaz on the move in a rally race in January
July 30, 2009
KAZAN, Tatarstan -- Tatarstan-based truck maker Kamaz has announced it will suspend operations for one month beginning on August 1, RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service reports.
Kamaz Director Sergei Kogogin blamed the move on plummeting demand during the summer months.
He added that Kamaz's roughly 50,000 employees will be remunerated during the forced holiday, although it was unclear what portion of their wages would be paid.
Kogogin said such one-month shutdowns will become standard practice in future summers.
Kamaz recently relaunched assembly after a similar pause due to falling revenues.
Kamaz, founded in 1969, is one of the largest truck makers in the world with production of some 47,500 heavy-duty trucks in 2008.
Its headquarters are in the Tatar city of Chelny.