the economic impact of the strike appeared to be heavy. deutsche bahn said the strike cost it €50 million ($73 million) a day. automobile manufacturers, which depended heavily on trains for moving vehicles, found inventories backing up immediately. audi shuttered at least one plant in order prevent an additional backlog from occurring. seaports, especially hamburg, were clogged with containers. germany's steel industry, which transports half its goods by rail, was also badly affected. federal officials expressed public concern that the strike could affect the economy, which had slowed in recent months