Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have separately idled production at two Michigan assembly plants for the week of April 4. In each case the automakers have cited parts shortages.
The Ford Flat Rock (Mich.) Assembly plant – where it builds the Ford Mustang – is being slowed by a shortage of semiconductor chips, the automaker announced. The issue has been an ongoing problem for automakers since the initial end of Covid lockdowns and the effort to resume regular production programs. Most automakers operating in the U.S. have resorted to idling plants for various lengths of time over the past year.
“The global semiconductor shortage continues to affect Ford’s North American plants – along with automakers and other industries around the world,” according to a company statement. “Behind the scenes, we have teams working on how to maximize production, with a continued commitment to building every high-demand vehicle for our customers with the quality they expect. All of our North American plants will run the week of April 4, except Flat Rock Assembly Plant.”
The same plant went idle for a week during May 2021, and for the same reason. As yet, Ford has not indicated when the Flat Rock plant will resume operations.
Last month, Ford put the Kansas City, Mo., Assembly for F-150 pick-ups on idle, also due to a semiconductor chip shortage.
GM’s Lansing (Mich.) Grand River Assembly plant has paused production of the Cadillac CT4 and CT5 and the Chevrolet Camaro, though company spokesperson emphasized that this idling is not due to a shortage of semiconductor chips. Even so, GM would not specify the particular part or parts that are unavailable, citing competitive issues.
The Grand River Assembly plant is scheduled to resume assembly operations on April 11.
