Explosion at Porsche factory stops 911 production

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Saw this at Motor Authority's website...

A gas explosion at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen factory has forced officials to stop production of the entire 911 range for at least 48 hours. “Assembly of the 911 model line will be idled for at least two to three days based on preliminary estimates. The daily production capacity is currently 160 units,” the company said in a statement.

Porsche claims it can recoup the lost production over the remaining months of the year by increase the number and length of shifts. The situation could have been a lot worse. The same Zuffenhausen factory also houses the production line for Porsche’s entire engine range including the motors for the Cayenne and Boxster/Cayman models.

Only two employees were hurt in the blast, and were taken to hospital with minor injuries. According to Reuters, the explosion took place in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thermoplastic gelling oven in the paintshop. This paintshop wasn’t due to be replaced until 2013 but officials are now planning to move up the refurbishment, which is expected to cost close to $300 million.