Securing the high level of performance of the supply chains is a difficult task. The harmonization of different interests, the coordination of the raw material supply and information flow, the cooperation of the partners, forging and maintaining a relationship of trust are challenging even in an ideal world in order to meet the customer demands. The recent outbreak of the COVID-19 presents the members of the supply chains with extreme challenges. Because of the epidemic, the value added activities of the supply chains are getting even more importance. It became clear that the different supply chains connect the whole economy in a global and local scale as well. The choice of the inventory and organizational strategy is a key aspect in a crisis like this. The aim of this study is to present the current challenges and their viable solutions in order to check the possibilities to maintain the operation of the supply chains even in this difficult economic and social period using an automotive case study as an example.