Berlin, 27 June 2008: Hail the size of pingpong balls damaged some 30,000 new vehicles at a Volkswagen plant in northern Germany, a company spokesman said today.

The June 22 hailstorm hit a lot filled with new cars at a plant in Emden, on the North Sea coast. The cars were waiting to be shipped to dealerships overseas.

Most of the vehicles sustained heavy paint and body damage, but little glass was broken, Volkswagen spokesman Christoph Adomat said.

“We can’t make a damage estimate yet,” Adomat said.

Volkswagen was insured against the damage, and each of the vehicles will be repaired and inspected before being put up for sale, he said.

“We need to make certain that all customers receive a car that is absolutely in good working order,” Adomat said.

Courtesy: Associated Press