Automakers based in and around Tamil Nadu's capital, Chennai, paid homage to late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, by keeping their plants shut on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu hosts a number of vehicle manufacturers including companies like TVS Motor Company Ltd., Hyundai Motor India Ltd., Ford India Pvt. Ltd., Eicher Motors Ltd., and Ashok Leyland Ltd., among others.
Spokespersons of these manufacturers said their respective plants would remain shut on Tuesday, and any call for an extension would be taken only later in the day.
J Jayalalithaa, a four-time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, was declared dead at 11:30 pm on Monday, after being admitted at Apollo Hospitals for more than two months. She was put on life support on Sunday evening following a cardiac arrest, but succumbed to the ailment, according to a statement issued by the hospital.
Paying his tribute to J Jayalalithaa, the chairman of TVS Motor, Venu Srinivasan said, “She did a lot of work to promote industry and spur economic growth. She had an eye on the welfare of people, and did a lot for the welfare of people. She was a great leader, and will go down in history as that.”
“We at Ford Motor Company are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Selvi Dr. J. Jayalalithaa, Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. She was an extraordinary leader for the people of Tamil Nadu, and her vision and partnership helped make it possible for Ford to invest and grow in Chennai,” Ford India said in a statement.
“Our plants in Chennai will remain shut for today (Tuesday) as a mark of respect to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister,” said a Hyundai Motor official.
Chennai is popularly known as the ‘Detroit of India', and is hosts manufacturing units of several original equipment manufacturers, as well as automotive ancillary manufacturers.
The one-day shutdown may lead to a loss in production as the manufacturers are yet to take a call on working an extra day to compensate for the shortfall. Most companies added that any call on the matter will be taken only at a later stage.
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