Ford Suspends F-150 Production Amid Supplier Plant Fire

A supplier plant caught fire on May 2, affecting output of Ford’s F-Series pickup trucks. The automaker has suspended production of the F-150 and Super Duty at certain plants because the fire has created a shortage of die-cast components needed to make the vehicles.

Ford is halting F-150 production in Kansas City, Missouri; and in Dearborn, Michigan, until May 14. But in a letter to workers at the Dearborn Truck plant, Ford explained the situation could change. Production is also offline at the Louisville, Kentucky, plant where the Super Duty is built. However, the automaker continues to make Super Duty vehicles at its Ohio Assembly Plant.

Ford allayed fears that it will run out of F-150 trucks to sell to customers.

“This is a fluid situation, but we are working closely with our supplier partners to do everything we can to limit the impact on our production,” said Joe Hinrichs, executive vice president and president of Global Operations, in a statement. “It’s a full team effort and we’re confident that any impacts will be short term. The good news is we have strong inventories of our best-selling F-Series pickups and other vehicles, and customers won’t have a problem finding the model they want.”

Operated by Meridian Magnesium Products of America, the damaged plant supplies a front bolster for the F-150, Super Duty, Expedition, and Navigator. It also provides a third row seat cushion pan for the Explorer, Flex, and MKT. But unlike the F-Series, these other vehicles are expected to continue production as normal, reports Automotive News.

But not all vehicles are so lucky. BMW says the fire has affected production of the X5 and X6 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, while output of the Chrysler Pacifica has been disrupted in Windsor, Ontario. Mercedes has experienced disruptions because of a shortage of parts used in some of its vehicle cockpits, and production of the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana have also been affected.

Source: Ford, Automotive News (Subscription required)

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