Coronavirus brings layoff of nearly 800 at Salem auto supplier

The impact of the coronavirus on the auto industry has trickled down to nearly 800 workers at a Salem manufacturer.

Ventra Salem, which supplies automotive parts, has temporarily shut down its Pennsylvania Avenue plant, laying off 794 employees.

A mass layoff notice required under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act says the layoffs went into effect over the weekend.

The company blames what it describes as “a sudden, temporary stop due to the COVID-19 natural disaster.”

General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler have all suspended production in North America as a measure to slow the spread of coronavirus.