VOA慢速英语2019--现代因冠状病毒爆发停产

Hyundai Motor says it will suspend production in South Korea because of the coronavirus outbreak, which has affected¹ the supply of parts.

In announcing the suspension, Hyundai became the first major automobile² manufacturer to reduce operations outside of mainland China.

In China, Hyundai and several other automakers have already followed government guidance and ordered factories to close. Those manufacturers include Tesla, Ford⁴, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Nissan and Honda Motor.

"Hyundai and Kia may be more affected as they ... import more parts from China than other global automakers," said Lee Hang-koo of the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade.

Many other businesses are preparing for losses from the viral outbreak. For some companies, the damage has been delayed, thanks, in part, to timing⁵. The outbreak hit just when Chinese factories and other businesses were closed for the one-week Lunar New Year holiday. Now the holiday has ended, and worldwide shortages may be coming.

In order to meet production targets for summer goods, experts say that Chinese factories would need to start increasing production by March 15. If Chinese factories were to stay closed through May 1, it would likely affect the back-to-school and autumn sales totals.

"There's complete uncertainty⁶,'' said Steve Pasierb, head of the Toy Industry Association, a trade group in the United States. "This could be huge if it goes on for months,'' he added.

The Chinese city of Wuhan is the center of automotive production. The viral outbreak has hit Wuhan and neighboring cities hard. The government has closed off the area, where more than 50 million people live. The factories where they work are closed.

For now, United States automakers have not had to slow production because of a lack of Chinese parts. But David Closs says time is running out.

"I would say it's weeks at the most,'' he told The Associated Press. "One to two to three weeks.''

Closs is professor emeritus⁷ at Michigan State University's Department of Supply Chain Management.

The partial closure of Wuhan has already slowed the production of televisions and raised prices, reported research group IHS Markit. The city has five factories that make instruments used in the manufacturing of televisions and laptop computers.

David Hsieh works for IHS Markit. He noted⁸ in a report that "these factories are facing shortages of ... labor⁹ and (important) components¹¹" because of the efforts to contain the virus.

Telephone maker³ Motorola has a production center in Wuhan. The company said that it has a flexible worldwide supply chain and many factories around the world, so it does not expect many problems. It also said it is worried about its workers. Motorola is owned by the Chinese electronics producer Lenovo.

Apple chief Tim Cook told industry experts last week that his company's suppliers in China had been forced to delay reopening factories that closed for the Lunar New Year. Cook added that Apple is seeking ways to minimize supply chain problems. Most of the company's iPhones and other electronic devices are made in China.

Words in This Story

outbreak – n. a sudden start or increase of fighting or disease

uncertainty – n. the condition or quality of being unsure

emeritus – n. someone retired¹² from employment, but permitted to hold an honorary position

supply chain – n. a system of many products from different places being used in a final product

component¹⁰ – n. an important piece of something

flexible – adj. willing to change or to try different things

outlook – n. expectancy

1 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

2 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

3 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

4 Ford   

n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过

参考例句：

• They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
• If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。

5 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

6 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

7 emeritus   

adj.名誉退休的

参考例句：

• "Perhaps I can introduce Mr.Lake Kirby,an emeritus professor from Washington University?"请允许我介绍华盛顿大学名誉教授莱克柯尔比先生。
• He will continue as chairman emeritus.他将会继续担任荣誉主席。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

10 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

11 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

12 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。