Bentley, McLaren seek alternatives to China suppliers due to virus

Bentley and McLaren have sought alternatives to their Chinese suppliers to mitigate the effect of the coronavirus outbreak, which has halted production at some automakers' manufacturing sites around the world.

The virus has infected tens of thousands and killed about 3,000 people, the majority in China, confining millions to their homes, disrupting businesses and delaying the reopening of factories after the extended Lunar New Year holiday break.

Both Bentley and McLaren said their car production, all of which is in Britain, had not been affected so far.

Bentley, owned by Volkswagen Group, said it had secured the supply of the 21 basic components that it sources from China until the end of the month, such as silicon chips.

"We have re-sourced them. We don't see a break in production yet," CEO Adrian Hallmark told Reuters. He declined to say where the alternative supplies are sourced from.