Apr 2021

Ford Suspends More F-150s and Explorers Over Chip Shortages

Ford Motor Co. informed workers that it is extending downtime at key North American plants because of the ongoing chip shortage between one to two weeks. Ford said the Chicago and Flat Rock, Mich., plants as well as both the F-150 and Transit van sides of its Kansas City, Mo., plant will be down the weeks of May 3rd and 10th. Flat Rock, which builds the Mustang, and Chicago Assembly, which builds the Explorer and Lincoln Aviator crossovers, have been idled since the week of April 12th while Kansas City has been idled since the week of April 19th.

Oakville Assembly in Canada, where workers build the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus crossovers, will be down the week of May 3rd. It also has been idled since April 12. Additionally, Ford said production at its Ohio Assembly Plant will be limited to Super Duty chassis cabs and medium-duty trucks the weeks of May 3rd and 10th, continuing limitations that began the week of April 19th. The company also noted that various powertrain and stamping plants would have to adjust their operating patterns to match what’s happening at the assembly plants they serve.