√Volkswagen T-Roc production suspended after supplier’s factory floods

Volkswagen’s best-selling T-Roc won’t roll down the production line for two months, but the company’s local division says it has ample stock to last a few months.

Production of Volkswagen’s most popular new vehicle in Australia will be suspended for two months, with floods in Europe causing major supply issues overseas – but the German car-maker’s local division says customers Down Under won’t be affected.

As reported by industry journal Automotive News Europe, Volkswagen will halt production of the T-Roc small SUV at its factory in Portugal between 11 September and 12 November.

The two-month delay has been attributed to floods in Slovenia which have caused an estimated €100 million in damage to the factory which supplies critical engine components for the T-Roc – as well as at least six deaths elsewhere in the eastern European country.

In a statement, Volkswagen told Automotive News Europe it is “working with other suppliers to find alternatives to return to normal production in the affected plant as quickly as possible.”

The parts supplier’s CEO reportedly told Slovenian media outlets the company could restart production as early as October.

Volkswagen reportedly expects its other factories in Europe to be affected by the supply constraints, more likely those which build petrol-powered cars.

A Volkswagen Australia spokesperson told Drive the production pause is unlikely to affect its supply, as the company is currently awaiting a significant shipment of T-Rocs to local shores.

“The T-Roc is Volkswagen’s best selling vehicle in Australia so far this year, with a dramatic lift in sales compared with the previous year,” said the spokesperson.

“This is because our most in-demand model is now met with a dramatic lift in supply, and this level of supply is continuing at pace across CityLife, Style, R-Line and R. Customers can expect close to immediate delivery on T-Roc and we will have significant stock levels through the months ahead.”

In Australia, Volkswagen has reported 4914 examples of the T-Roc as sold between January and the end of July 2023 – ahead of the five-seat Tiguan (4608 sales) and the seven-seat T-Cross (3431 sales).

The T-Roc is also the third best-selling vehicle overall in Europe throughout 2023, with the 125,545 examples of the small SUV sold trailing only the Tesla Model Y (136,461 sales) and the Dacia Sandero (135,631 sales).

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