Mercedes-Benz production chief: in constant dialogue with suppliers over rare earths

RASTATT, Germany, June 4 (Reuters) - Mercedes-Benz MBGn.DE is closely coordinating with its top suppliers over rare earth procurement, the carmaker's production chief said on Wednesday, saying that "physical buffers" played a role in the discussions.

Joerg Burzer, Mercedes-Benz's management board member in charge of production, made the comments during a roundtable with journalists.

Earlier on Wednesday, Europe's auto supplier association CLEPA said several plants and production lines had been shut down due to a shortage of rare earths caused by China imposing restrictions on exports, warning of further outages to come.