Audi cuts shifts amid severe flooding in southern Germany

FRANKFURT -- Audi cancelled some production shifts at its headquarters in Ingolstadt, southern Germany on Monday, amid the first signs of an economic impact of flooding in the region.

The early and the late shifts building the A3 and Q2 were cancelled, the company said. The move was in response to the difficulties faced by staff in reaching the plant.

"This is in response to the intensifying flooding situation in the region," Audi said, adding that the factory was currently not directly affected by flooding.

Production of the electric Q6 E-tron, which is also built in Ingolstadt, is also at a standstill due to a technical break in production during the Bavarian vacation period. Output of the EV is not due to restart until the beginning of next week. The Q6 E-tron was unveiled in March and production is currently ramping up.

Navigation authorities on Monday warned that parts of the river Rhine in southern Germany, an important route for commodities and fuels, were closed to cargo shipping for lack of overhead space to sail under bridges.

Rail company Deutsche Bahn on Sunday advised against traveling in southern Germany.

German utility EnBW said its hydroelectric plants along the Neckar river and its tributaries were either running at reduced capacity or were out of operation, particularly small stations.

The company, which is based in southern Germany, said this was partly due to the large amount of floating debris.