World Cup Notes: BMW, Daimler, VW To Halt Production For Germany-Brazil Game

German car manufacturers BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen "will stop production and release late-shift workers early in many of their plants due to the World Cup semifinal between Germany and Brazil on Tuesday." In places where this is not possible, shifts "will be switched and production will run with only minimal staff to make sure no football fan has to suffer" (SID, 7/8). ... The biggest public viewing event in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia "has been canceled due to persistent rain." Close to 16,000 spectators "who wanted to watch the game in Bochum's Westpark have now to find an alternative" (SID, 7/8). ... F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone and his wife Fabiana Flosi were "divided when it comes to the Germany-Brazil matchup." Brazilian native Flosi cheered for the Seleção, while Ecclestone cheered for Germany. He said, "I'm for Germany." Germany won the match 7-1 to advance to the finals (SID, 7/8).