Opel cuts back production

German car maker Adam Opel AG today said it was shutting down production at its Eisenach plant for three weeks as global financial turmoil led to flagging demand for its vehicles.

Opel spokesman Andreas Kroemer said the company was “feeling the effects of the financial crisis”.

He said people were “holding on to their money and not ordering cars”.

Mr Kroemer said the plant shutdown would go into effect next week.

Opel is owned by General Motors.

The company’s Bochum plant stopped production last week, but will resume work next week.

Mr Kroemer said the company expects to build 40,000 less cars than initially planned this year.