UPDATE: Porsche announced today that production will resume at the Zuffenhausen factory Monday, March 3rd. The damage to the paint shop following the explosion amounts to several hundred thousand Euros. Apparently the escaping gas that caused the explosion was due to a defect in a PVC fusion oven. The other ovens used in the plant were inspected and found to be safe and fully functional.

Because of the loss in production time this week, Porsche has a backlog now of about 800 911′s. As I mention below, they expect to make it up during the course of the year.

Contrary to earlier reports, and Porsche getting a better handle on the damages, production of the 911 has been suspended at least through the end of this week. Assembly was initially going to be halted for two to three days.

Porsche produces the 911 at their Zuffenhausen factory, which is the only manufacturing facility that builds the car.

The plant builds about 160 cars a day. Porsche says they should be able to make up the shortfall during the course of the year.

The explosion was caused by leaking gas from a drying oven which ignited. Any injured workers were taken to the hospital with minor injuries and later released.