German industrial production down nearly 18% in April

BERLIN (AP) — Official data show that German industrial production plunged by nearly 18% in April compared with the previous month at the height of Europe’s coronavirus lockdowns. The 17.9% decline reported by the Economy Ministry on Monday followed an 8.9% drop in March, when Germany started shutting down. Germany’s lockdown was less severe than those imposed in Italy, Spain and France and it never ordered factories closed, but companies did largely stop production in some areas — such as the automaking sector — and supply chains were disrupted.  Germany started easing restrictions to public life on April 20 and the process has gathered pace since.