Audi Mexico temporarily suspended operations at its San Jose Chiapa plant due to nationwide road and railway blockades, which disrupted the delivery of essential components for vehicle assembly. The stoppage coincides with a nationwide farmers’ protest that began on Oct. 27, affecting highways and rail lines in Puebla, Tlaxcala, Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Aguascalientes.
“The Audi Group plant in Puebla trusts that this situation will be resolved promptly to resume productive activities as soon as possible,” Audi Mexico said in a statement. The plant, producing the Q5 SUV with 90% automation, is one of Audi’s most modern facilities worldwide.
An internal circular indicated that employees not required for essential operations would apply technical leave on Oct. 30–31 for the first shift, while minimal staff would maintain security and critical tasks.
Audi noted that its just-in-time supply model left it unable to continue production due to a shortage of parts. The protests are driven by farmers demanding fair prices for maize and sorghum, along with subsidies for fuel and fertilizers. In Puebla, farmers blocked the Cuautla-Izúcar de Matamoros highway, while Tlaxcala saw obstructions on the Mexico–Veracruz federal highway near Nanacamilpa. Rail lines across the region and the Arco Norte toll plaza at Palmillas on the Mexico–Queretaro highway also faced closures, further restricting industrial and agricultural transport.
Other automakers were affected as well. Nissan’s Aguascalientes plant implemented a technical stop for approximately 6,000 employees on Oct 29–30, halting the production of about 1,200 vehicles due to delayed delivery of parts. General Motors in Silao and Mazda in Salamanca also suspended operations temporarily. Tire manufacturer Pirelli reported similar interruptions earlier in the week.