DEARBORN, Mich. (WWJ) -- A global computer chip shortage has caused work to come to a stop for two weeks at Ford Motor Co.’s Dearborn Truck Plant.
The two-week closure began Monday and will continue through next week, as Ford announced last week. Super shifts at the plant have also been canceled for the weeks of April 26, May 10, May 31 and June 21.
The stoppage is a result of a world-wide semiconductor chip shortage that dates back to the early stages of the pandemic last spring as many suppliers turned their focus to consumer electronics when auto plants came to a halt.
The microchips serve as “the brains” of cars, especially with advanced “infotainment” systems.
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Dearborn isn’t the only Ford plant affected by the shortage, as multiple plants across the country have announced temporary shutdowns.
Truck production at the Kansas City Assembly Plant is canceled this week, while overtime shifts for truck production are canceled the weeks of April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 17, June 7 and June 14. Production of the Transit is also impacted for several weeks.
At the Louisville Assembly Plant, where the Escape and Lincoln Corsair are built, work will be halted the weeks of April 12 and April 19.
Overtime shifts at the Chicago Assembly Plant -- home of the Ford Explorer, Police Interceptor Utility and Lincoln Aviator -- are canceled this week.
Overtime shifts at the Ohio Assembly Plant will be canceled the weeks of April 12 and April 26, while Canada’s Oakville Assembly Complex will be closed the weeks of April 12, April 19 and April 26.