As the shortage of semiconductor processing chips continues to impact the automotive and technology industries, several leading car makers have been forced to close production lines temporarily.
The crisis has been affecting companies almost a year, initially stemming from increased demand for personal computers, tablets and smartphones at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, which largely diverted supply away from the automotive sector, now extending to Covid-related closures at semiconductor factories and international shipping ports.
Previously, Autocar reported that a number of manufacturers were urgently seeking to overhaul their components supply-chains as a workaround to ensure continued production. Analysis company IHS Markit said at the time that the shortage could cut global production by nearly 700,000 vehicles year-on-year, although the final figure could be even higher.
Ford
The US firm will cut production output at its Cologne plant as a result Covid-related supply issues from a chip producer in Malaysia, the firm told Automobilwoche, sister publication to Automotive News Europe.
"Due to a production stoppage at a semiconductor manufacturer, Ford Fiesta production at our Cologne plant will be suspended from August 23 to 28," a Ford spokesperson confirmed to Automotive News Europe.. "We are working as quickly as possible to resume production."
Production of the Ford Fiesta had been halted from May to mid-July, with the firm reporting previously that it could have lost half of all planned production in quarter two of 2021. Workers returned to the factory on Monday 16 August, following a month-long break.
According to the Automobilwoche report, management announced in a letter to employees that due to a lack of door modules, short-time work would be requested for the next two weeks, starting August 17. The Focus, produced at the same facility, is not affected by the cuts, the firm said.
Hyundai
Hyundai shortened hours at its Alabama plant in the US between 17 and 19 August because of the supply shortage, according to local news outlet WSFA. Normal operations are expected to continue from Monday 23 August.
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Just how bad could things get for ford, is that a 3 to 4 month shut down for the focus. Ford have failed more than most it seems
I thought Thierry had sorted it? Autocar quoted him a month ago saying he'd called the chip supplier directly and JLR would be fine. Seems they just can't get a break at the moment.