A number of Ford plants around the globe have been forced to shut down temporarily in recent weeks, thanks to a number of issues including COVID-19 related problems, a global chip shortage, and recent winter storms. Now, we can add two more Ford plants to that growing list – the Ford Oakville Assembly Plant in Canada and the Ford Louisville Assembly Plant in Kentucky.
The closures, which will take place for one week starting today, were confirmed to the Detroit Free Press by Ford global manufacturing and labor communications manager Kelli Felker. FoMoCo produces the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair at the Louisville plant, while the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus are produced at the Oakville facility.
Meanwhile, the Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant is scheduled to resume production of the Ford F-150 and Ford Transit today following a week-long shutdown. Aside from the winter storm, the Kansas City area was affected by restricted natural gas availability, which is used to heat homes in the area.
“We’re constantly monitoring the changing conditions and, while our systems remain strong, we’re proactively working with large natural gas users like Ford to plan for emergencies when there’s not enough supply to meet the energy needs of the larger community,” said Scott Carter, president of Spire Missouri, a St. Louis-based natural gas utility. “The leaders at Ford raised their hand early to offer curtailed usage, in the spirit of doing what’s right for the community.”
Meanwhile, other Ford plants facing shutdowns in recent weeks include the Ford Saarlouis Assembly plant in Germany, the Ford Chennai Assembly Plant in India, the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant in Illinois, the Ford Dearborn Assembly Plant in Michigan, and the Ford Kentucky Truck Plant.
We’ll have more on Ford’s production woes soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for ongoing Ford news coverage.
Comment
Ford keeps advertising to order your Edge now to receive additional incentive. I don’t see why they are doing that when shutting down Oakville plant and my order does not even have production date since December 22nd. My three year lease has run out so had to get extension on it and major part of warranty ran out April 1st. Not happy!