Carmakers Ask ArcelorMittal to Delay South Africa Closures
- Industry associations say lack of supply could close plants
- Volkswagen, Toyota among companies with South Africa plants
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Carmakers in South Africa are imploring the local unit of ArcelorMittal SA and the country’s trade minister to work together to delay the planned closure of steel mills this month.
Associations representing both automotive component makers and car manufacturers — including Volkswagen AG and Toyota Motor Corp. — said in near-identical letters seen by Bloomberg that they need at least a year to source alternative steel supplies. Shuttering the steel mills could result in plant closures and job losses in their industries, they said.