Credit rates are crushing the car market: Gorky Automobile Plant has switched to a four-day workweek

      The press service of the Gorky Automobile Plant (Nizhny Novgorod) commented to IA "Nizhny Segodnya" on social media reports regarding the company's switch to a four-day workweek. "Due to the critical decline in the commercial vehicle market, the Gorky Automobile Plant will operate on a 4-day workweek in August 2025," the statement says. The need to reduce production rates and introduce a four-day workweek at the Gorky Plant is linked to the overall economic situation in the country. "In the context of a high Central Bank rate and the inaccessibility of financial tools for car purchases, the market decline in the first half of the year was nearly 40% in the medium-duty truck segment, 30% in light commercial vehicles, and 60% in buses," experts from the company write. "Introducing a shortened workweek in these conditions allows the plant to preserve jobs, adapt its production schedule to market conditions, and ensure even workload distribution. Since early 2025, amidst market contraction, the company has been optimizing costs across various areas, while maintaining all social benefits for employees in full." The press service also reported that employees have been informed that the 4-day workweek regime at the plant may continue. Starting from September, the work schedule of production will be determined monthly based on market factors. Should the market improve, the plant will return to a full workweek. Additionally, from July 21 to August 3, Gorky Plant workers are on their annual fully paid corporate vacation. "During this period, some divisions of the plant operate according to the scheduled work plan. Specifically, modernization and maintenance of equipment are ongoing, including the installation of new robotic complexes in welding and painting departments," the press service noted.