Ford idles F-150 plant due to global chip shortage
Ford said the latest action is reflected in a prior forecast that the chip shortage could shave $1 billion to $2.5 billion off 2021 profits.
Ford previously cut some February production shifts at its two F-150 plants — Dearborn and Kansas City, Missouri — due to the shortage, and also sent workers home early a few times in January.
The automaker’s head of U.S. sales, Andrew Frick, mentioned the F-150 as one of a handful of nameplates that have been especially impacted by the shortage in aletter to dealers earlier this month.
AutoForecast Solutions estimates Ford’s lost more than 20,000 units worth of production between the two pickup plants.
The chip shortage came as North American auto plants were shut for two months during the COVID pandemic last year and chip orders were canceled, and as demand surged from the consumer electronics industry as people worked from home and played video games. That has now left carmakers competing for chips.
Semiconductors are used extensively in light vehicles: To monitor engine performance, manage steering or automatic windows, and in sensors used in parking and entertainment systems.
On Wednesday, Ford said it would cut output this week of the Transit van at the Kansas City assembly plant due to the shortage. Production of the flagship F-150 pickup at the factory is not affected.
